Patricia Zheng, MD

Dr. Patricia Zheng is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist who cares for patients with neck pain and mid-to-low back pain. She specializes in nonsurgical treatments for spinal disorders, favoring the least invasive methods possible to diagnose and relieve pain and dysfunction. When appropriate, she performs X-ray-guided injections to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Zheng's research focuses on identifying factors associated with chronic low back pain and developing tools to estimate an individual's likelihood of experiencing various outcomes. Her research has received awards from the National Institutes of Health, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS), and North American Spine Society.

Zheng serves as chief of UCSF's physical medicine and rehabilitation division. She leads its team of physiatrists, which partners with other specialists to care for adults and children with a range of physical impairments, including neurologic, musculoskeletal and traumatic injuries. She also represents UCSF through leadership positions in AAPM&R and IPSIS. She currently holds the UCSF Melissa J. Ma Endowed Professorship for Orthopaedic Surgery.

Zheng earned her medical degree from UCSF and completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Stanford University, serving as chief resident. She completed a fellowship in PM&R Interventional Spine at Stanford, where she trained in advanced image-guided procedures using ultrasound and X-ray.

Zheng grew up in South Pasadena, California. On weekends, she serves as a chauffeur for her two kids, who have a busier social calendar than she does.