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About me

He | Him | His

Dr. Julian Motzkin is a neurologist who cares for patients with a variety of pain conditions. He has special interests in head and face pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia), back and pelvis pain, neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome (chronic pain in an extremity, such as an arm or leg, following an injury or other event). He considers each patient's unique needs to generate personalized and comprehensive pain management plans that typically integrate physical therapy, psychological therapy, medication recommendations and procedures. He has expertise in using advanced imaging techniques to perform a broad range of interventional pain procedures, particularly neuromodulation (stimulating nerves to interrupt pain signals) as well as injections for head and face pain.

Motzkin's research focuses on understanding individual differences in brain organization that can lead to chronic pain. He works closely with his colleagues in psychiatry, radiology, neurosurgery, neurology and anesthesia to develop new, personalized treatments for brain disorders. His goal is to develop precision medicine tools for noninvasive brain stimulation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (a technique for assessing brain activity). He is currently leading a study of transcranial magnetic stimulation (or TMS) for hard-to-treat chronic neuropathic pain conditions, combining brain imaging of pain circuits with targeted noninvasive brain stimulation to better understand how this technique can relieve pain.

Motzkin earned his medical degree and doctorate in neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin – Madison through its medical science training program. He completed a residency in neurology and a fellowship in pain medicine at UCSF.

Motzkin is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, International Association for the Study of Pain, American Society of Anesthesiologists, International Neuromodulation Society and North American Neuromodulation Society.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Psychiatry/Neurology-Neurology, Pain Medicine, 2022

    American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology, 2020

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Pain Medicine, 2021

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Neurology, 2020

  • Internship

    UCSF, Internal Medicine, 2017

  • Education

    University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 2016

  • Languages

    English

My work is guided by the belief that appreciating the uniquely individual aspects of pain can lead to profound breakthroughs in treatment.

Where I see patients (3)

    My reviews

    5.0

    Overall Experience
    158 Ratings
    About our process
    Mar 30, 2025
    Dr. Motzkin is by far the best doctor I have! He is thoughtful, intelligent and kind. He has an amazing "bedside manner" and always listens with care. I wish he was my internist!
    Mar 28, 2025
    Wonderful care. The doctors and nurse were spectacular. The results fantastic so far. I'm very happy and very pleased with my care.
    Mar 12, 2025
    Dr Motzkin is amazing.
    Feb 28, 2025
    Dr. Motzkin is THE best Neurologist at UCSF. Best in skills, compassion, intelligence and follow up.
    Feb 26, 2025
    Great experience. Dr. Motzkin is always very informative, knowledgeable, and caring.
    Feb 26, 2025
    Experience with Dr. Motzkin and team id exemplary
    Feb 25, 2025
    Dr Motzkin is the best. I'm so glad we're teamed up!
    Feb 21, 2025
    This is the best diagnostician and overall physician that I can remember seeing, ever!
    Feb 11, 2025
    There is no better Neurologist at the Pain Mgt Clinic than Dr. Motzkin. He is extraordinarily intelligent, compassionate and explains everything. I am so fortunate to have found Dr. Motzkin.
    Feb 05, 2025
    My experience with Dr. Motzkin is unparalleled
    Feb 05, 2025
    Dr. Motskin was very helpful. He took time to educate me about what was going on with my body and the treatments. He has wonderful caring manner that instills confidence in the patient
    Feb 04, 2025
    Actually, I rate Dr. Motzkin "Excellent!" He is far beyond "Very Good." I would recommend him to others, but I don't want him to get so popular that he is even harder to get an appointment with!
    Feb 04, 2025
    A wonderful experience. Everything was covered and explained in a thorough and friendly manner. I would recommend Dr. Motzkin 100%
    Feb 01, 2025
    Again Dr Motzkin was kind and explained everything in detail
    Jan 27, 2025
    Dr. Motzkin provided the best experience I could have had.
    Jan 17, 2025
    Dr. Motzkin is the best. I am directly and completely involved in my treatment and plans going forward. He is kind, extremely competent, knowledgeable and interested in any suggestions I have.
    Jan 15, 2025
    Very thorough. Very impressed with level of care.
    Jan 09, 2025
    Dr Motzkin remains hands down my favorite UCSF doctor. He is intelligent and caring.
    Nov 24, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin remains my favorite doctor. He is intelligent, compassionate and thoughtful.
    Nov 02, 2024
    Awesomeness
    Oct 20, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin is excellent. He displays genuine concern for me as a patient.
    Oct 04, 2024
    Best doctor I've ever seen in my 51 years of life. The best bed side manner, which is extremely important. Very knowledge.
    Oct 04, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin and his assistant Matt were excellent
    Oct 02, 2024
    Julian Motzkin is one of the most intelligent and caring doctors I have. He is excellent across the board!
    Sep 20, 2024
    Dr Motzkin is simply the best Neurologist I have had at the UCSF pain mgt clinic. While they are all good, he is exceptional
    Sep 18, 2024
    Dr Motzkin is excellent
    Aug 26, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin is thorough and attentive. That's why he always runs late! He never makes you feel rushed or insignificant!
    Aug 22, 2024
    I am beyond thankful for the care provided by Dr Motzkin. I have seen over 50 practitioners and Dr Motzkin is at the top of the list - which is certainly reflective of how I view UCSF
    Jun 16, 2024
    Dr Motzkin is the best!
    Jun 14, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin is the best! He is kind, compassionate and intelligent. He listens and explains all options! He never ever makes you feel rushed or that your problems/concerns are unimportant.
    Jun 05, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin was exceptional. He was thorough and an active listener.
    Apr 25, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin is wonderful. He has been an enormous help to me.
    Apr 14, 2024
    Dr Motzkin was very kind and helpful !
    Apr 14, 2024
    Dr. Motizkin is one of the kindest, most caring, and professional doctors I know. He takes time to explain complex issues to me. He has dramatically improved the quality of my life. He listens, he understands, and most importantly he empathizes with the crazy amount of pain I suffer. I will follow him anywhere he goes as he is my favorite doctor
    Mar 08, 2024
    I was explained everything to the Ten. My experiences with all the team was wonderful..
    Feb 25, 2024
    Dr Motskin was very attentive and showed concern and care. Explained matters well and the procedure went well
    Decorative Caduceus

    Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Chronic Neuropathic Pain

    Change in visual analog scores (VAS) of pain intensity on 0-100 mm scale. 0 indicates no pain, 100 indicates most pain imaginable.

    Recruiting

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