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Dr. Nu Chai, who goes by Cindy, is a neurologist and pain medicine physician who cares for patients with chronic pain conditions. She has a special interest in treating pain resulting from problems with the nervous system.

Chai cares for patients who have neck and back pain, sciatica, disc herniations, headaches and many other conditions. She works closely with a team of specialists to recommend medications, physical therapy, psychological therapy and other complementary treatments. She provides a full range of interventional treatments, including epidural injections, joint injections, placement of neuromodulation devices (which send electric signals to control pain), nerve blocks (injecting an anesthetic to disrupt pain signals) and Botox injections.

Chai has published numerous papers related to neuropathic pain, migraine and other headache conditions. Her current research focuses on finding new treatments for neuropathic pain conditions, such as lumbar radiculopathy (often called sciatica) and post-herpetic neuralgia (lasting pain that can follow a shingles outbreak).

After earning her medical degree at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Chai completed a residency in neurology at the Johns Hopkins Medical Center. She then completed a fellowship in pain management at UCSF. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, American Pain Society and North American Neuromodulation Society.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology., Pain Medicine

    American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology., Neurology

  • Fellowships

    UCSF Medical Center GME/RESEARCH, Pain Management

  • Residencies

    Johns Hopkins Univ Neurology Residency Program, Neurology

  • Internship

    California Pacific Medical Center GME, Internal Medicine

  • Degree

    MD, Dartmouth Medical School

Pain is a sensation and an experience, impacting many aspects of life. Managing pain requires the coordinated participation of the patient and many providers.

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    225 Ratings
    About our process
    Nov 26, 2025
    The doctors are the best.
    Nov 14, 2025
    I received great care. They took my problem very seriously.
    Nov 04, 2025
    The Doctor is outstanding
    Oct 19, 2025
    Dr Chai is excellent! She always listens well to my concerns and makes me feel heard and that I have all the information needed to make decisions. This call also included Dr. V -- my first time meeting her and she was excellent too! I am so grateful for the excellent care I receive from UCSF pain management clinic.
    Oct 08, 2025
    Dr. Chai is an exceptional physician and I am thankful for her care
    Oct 08, 2025
    Informative appointment and very pleased with the plan of care
    Oct 06, 2025
    Dr. Chai is an incredible doctor. I feel so lucky to be in her care.
    Oct 02, 2025
    Overall the whole experience was great.
    Sep 20, 2025
    The entire process of the interview was well organized
    Sep 05, 2025
    The best! Dr. Chai, Dr. Wong and Nick
    Sep 05, 2025
    I feel very fortunate to have Dr. Chai as one of my healthcare providers. The pain and frustration I experience from my severed trigeminal nerve is constant. She always listens, is very supportive, makes suggestions, answers my questions. Thank you for your excellent and supportive care Dr. Chai!
    Sep 04, 2025
    Dr Chai, staff and fellow were all exceptional care and service!
    Aug 01, 2025
    Very knowledgeable everyone there
    Jul 19, 2025
    Dr. Chai is wonderful!
    Jul 17, 2025
    Dr Chai is the best. I trust her in all her decisions!! Dr Russel was very kind too
    Jul 16, 2025
    Dr. Chai is an exceptional physician. I am so grateful she is my provider.
    Jun 14, 2025
    Dr. Chai is amazing.
    Jun 13, 2025
    Dr. Chai and her team are simply the best.
    Jun 11, 2025
    Dr Chai is excellent! Besides being knowledgeable and caring, she really listens, communicates well, presents options and choices and does not dismiss any of my personal questions or concerns. I am very fortunate and grateful to have her on my care team for my difficult situation.
    May 23, 2025
    Dr. Chai is really an amazing doctor. Very knowledgeable, thorough, professional, and friendly.
    May 23, 2025
    I have been on this pain journey for years now - and this doctor gave me the best and most validating information and suggestions and explanations of this entire road for me. I had stopped hoping to find a doctor like this and so this was a really great experience.
    May 18, 2025
    Dr Chai is quite amazing
    Apr 29, 2025
    Just simply nice filling left after check out !
    Apr 24, 2025
    Dr. Chai is an exceptional physician!
    Apr 18, 2025
    Dr. Chai was so friendly. Completely listened to me and the team of doctors that she Had on the call were also very informative and very kind.
    Apr 17, 2025
    Explanations of treatment and follow up issues were not clear. Visit felt rushed.
    Mar 28, 2025
    Again, I felt they were not listening to me. They were not understanding my situation and was grouping me with their other patient's experiences. Everyone has a different experience, and should be treated as such.
    Mar 19, 2025
    Dr. Chai and Dr. Kessler are excellent providers. I am thankful to be under Dr. Chai's care.
    Mar 09, 2025
    Dr Chai is an excellent doctor.
    Feb 19, 2025
    Dr. Chu is a caring competent physician.
    Feb 11, 2025
    Dr. Chai is an exceptional physician. UCSF is so fortunate to have her!
    Feb 07, 2025
    Dr. Chai is a wonderful physical. She has a great understanding of my problems and is clear on what can help me.
    Jan 12, 2025
    Dr. Chai is amazing and she gets all the five stars in the world
    Jan 11, 2025
    Could not have been improved upon.
    Jan 10, 2025
    Dr. Chai and her team are exceptional! I am so thankful to have her as my specialist.
    Dec 20, 2024
    Very caring and knowledgable
    Dec 17, 2024
    There needs to be an "excellent" rating because Dr. Cindy goes above and beyond when it comes to care!!
    Dec 03, 2024
    Dr Chai & interns does a good job in reviewing my records and previous treatments, answers questions satisfactorily, advise of upcoming treatment plan.
    Nov 15, 2024
    Dr. Chai is exceptional!
    Oct 14, 2024
    Dr. Chai Is an extremely good listener and she remembers details about my pain that I have told her in the past. I feel so cared for and I am very grateful.
    Oct 09, 2024
    Very good
    Sep 21, 2024
    Dr. Chai is like an angel. She is so calm and reassuring and I totally trust her.
    Sep 20, 2024
    I was so appreciative of the thoroughness of my visit and the compassion and concern expressed by the entire team.
    Sep 14, 2024
    Doctor made sure to let me know that if I am uncomfortable with what is happening at any point, that they can stop right away.
    Sep 13, 2024
    Excellent dr. Well, he worries that my health exceeded the highest percentage in a positive way.
    Aug 01, 2024
    Excellent care!
    Jul 27, 2024
    Provider shows incredible concern and care about patients concerns.
    Jul 23, 2024
    Dr chai is a very good doctor who genuinely seems to care.
    May 09, 2024
    Excellent care combined with diagnostic genius by Dr. Chai has been a huge gift as I now am improving under her care.
    May 09, 2024
    Very good bedside manner and very thorough
    May 09, 2024
    Wonderful experience
    May 07, 2024
    ,very good doctor.
    May 02, 2024
    Dr. Chai and Dr. Charles both are AMAZING in their practice and people skills. One of my best visits yet! Injections went so smoothly and was carefully executed. Thank you both!
    Apr 30, 2024
    Dr. Chai is an extremely knowledgeable and compassionate doctor. She took the time to listen to my questions and clearly explain the answers. She also explained additional treatment options and detailed mechanism of action and any associated risks. I have complete trust in Dr. Chai.
    Apr 18, 2024
    Very appreciative for Dr Chai, Dr Smother's, & other Drtheir presence, their care & conern!!!!
    Apr 04, 2024
    Excellent care
    Mar 20, 2024
    My treatment and my health have improved by 40% in the last 7 years of control. "Thank you."
    Mar 14, 2024
    Doctor is always so knowledgeable
    Mar 06, 2024
    I wish I could give a higher score. I have never been treated so well during this 8 1/2 years that I have been in pain. No one has ever show me such patience and care.

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