
Hsinlin Thomas Cheng, MD, PhD
NeurologyHeadache Medicine
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adults
Languages
- Taiwanese
- Hokkien
- Chinese - Mandarin
- English
Gender
MaleAbout Hsinlin Thomas Cheng
Hsinlin Thomas Cheng, MD, PhD, is the Director of the Multidisciplinary Facial Pain Program, MGB Neuroscience Institute, and the Director of the Facial Pain Program, Department of Neurology, and the site director of the MGB/Harvard Headache fellowship. He specializes in both adult Neurology and Pain Medicine. Dr. Cheng treats patients with headaches and facial pain. Dr. Cheng completed his doctoral program in Neuroscience at the University of Michigan; he completed his residency in the Department of Neurology at Wayne State University before taking on a clinical pain fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a research fellowship at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Cheng returned to the University of Michigan as Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology. He joined the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital in July, 2013.
Dr. Cheng is devoted to research, clinical practice, and education to improve the current knowledge and management of headache and neuropathic facial pain. He researches the molecular mechanisms of headache and neuropathic pain in both laboratory and clinical settings. He sees patients in the Neurology Clinic at Wang Building and performs procedures including nerve blocks, trigger point injections, and Botox injections.
Locations
- Massachusetts General Neurology Clinic
- 55 Fruit Street, Wang Building, 8th Floor, Suite 835, Boston, MA 02114
- Get Directions
- Phone: 617-726-8639
- Fax: 617-726-6991
- Massachusetts General Neurology
- 52 Second Avenue, Blue Building Suite 3100, Waltham, MA 02451
- Get Directions
- Phone: 617-726-0240
- Fax: 617-726-6991
- Massachusetts General Neurology
- 55 Fruit Street, Wang Building, 8th Floor Suite 835, Boston, MA 02114
- Get Directions
- Phone: 617-726-0240
- Fax: 617-726-6991
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: University of Michigan Hospital, Neurology, 2020
- Fellowship: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Pain and Palliative Care, 2006
- Residency: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Neurology, 2004
- Internship: Wayne State University - Detroit Medical Center, Internal Medicine, 2001
- Medical Education: Taipei Medical University, 1991
Board Certifications
- Neurology: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2007
- Pain Medicine: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2007
Insurance
- Aetna
- Beech Street
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield - Indemnity
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Cigna
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Coventry
- Fallon Health
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Humana
- Maine Community Health Options
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- MassHealth
- Medicaid ME
- Medicaid NH
- Medicaid RI
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare
- Multiplan
- Railroad Medicare
- Senior Whole Health
- TriCare
- Tufts Health Plan
- Tufts Medicare Preferred
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
- WellSense
- WellSense NH
Ratings & Reviews
4.6 out of 5
112 ratings, 35 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- Reviewed on 6/29/2026
The doctor did not warn me that the treatment would be extremely painful.
- Reviewed on 6/23/2026
I have complete confidence in my doctor and the care I receive at Mass General. I believe it's the best healthcare in the US.
- Reviewed on 6/22/2026
He is certainly good provider and cares a lot about his patient.
- Reviewed on 6/22/2026
i aapreciated seeing him
- Reviewed on 6/20/2026
Dr. Cheng administers Botox to treat my migraines. He's very experienced undoing so.
- Reviewed on 6/16/2026
Dr. Cheng is fantastic, attentive, well-trained, and kind. We are really lucky to have a neurologist like him!
- Reviewed on 6/13/2026
Dr. Cheng was very knowledgeable thorough and understanding about the overall condition of occipital neuralgia. His expertise in administering the injections was greatly appreciated. He knew right away what was needed to alleviate my pain.
- Reviewed on 6/13/2026
All good
- Reviewed on 6/9/2026
This was an initial appointment and it was held virtually, [redacted] He appeared to be interested in my symptoms and recommended multiple courses of action to be discussed at a future visit. [redacted]
- Reviewed on 5/25/2026
Dr. Cheng is an outstanding Neurologist. He truly cares for his patients 100% and more.
- Reviewed on 5/28/2026
Dr Cheng knows my case very well and accordingly manages my medications to keep my pain under control.
- Reviewed on 5/25/2026
[redacted] it's extremely efficient at Dr. Cheng's office. He ordered MRIs. They were, someone contacted me immediately to schedule them. He ordered prescriptions. I almost immediately got a message that they were in. He ordered physical therapy. I was already called to schedule it. So very smooth operation.
- Reviewed on 5/20/2026
Blessed to have found a doctor that takes the times to understand the issue, propose options, clearly explain anything - resulting in feeling better year after year
- Reviewed on 5/16/2026
The provider is always professional and understanding.
- Reviewed on 5/25/2026
Because this was a telehealth appointment and my hearing isn't quite up to snuff, I had a little trouble understanding this provider when he explained things. This is MY problem, not his, a question of accent, I think. I was very grateful for his expertise and his time but struggled a bit with comprehension and because the medical vocabulary is tricky for me. Again, this is MY problem, not his, but did feel a bit confused until I asked for him to repeat words or explain further.
- Reviewed on 5/16/2026
Said I did not need a surgeon. Not yet anyway
- Reviewed on 5/17/2026
Excellent doctor, I would recommend him to everyone. Very good doctor. Okay, thank you.
- Reviewed on 5/17/2026
Dr. Cheng listens carefully to what I have to say about pain level, etc. Many times he takes me in right away even if I am early.
- Reviewed on 11/26/2025
very good
- Reviewed on 11/24/2025
I had a good experience with this care provider, [redacted]
- Reviewed on 11/21/2025
I have full confidence in his care.
- Reviewed on 11/17/2025
Doctor Cheng and his associate were quite familiar with my medical history He took the time to explain the procedure and put any anxiety I had at ease. Doctor Cheng is truly credit MGH and should be considered a valuable asset to your team
- Reviewed on 11/13/2025
I just feel that when these appointments take place, that the appointment should not feel so hurried. And I think that when you have an appointment, you also should be aware of the fact that there is a student or another doctor in the office prior to you going into that room. I feel sometimes that this doctor should have his undivided attention to his patient and not having somebody else in the room all the time.
- Reviewed on 11/12/2025
Dr. Cheng is very kind and caring to his patients.
- Reviewed on 11/8/2025
He was concerned about my issue, unfortunately nothing more he could do that wasn't being done. He did give suggestions for my current provider.
- Reviewed on 11/6/2025
Zoom provides an efficient way to meet my needs
- Reviewed on 10/29/2025
I am grateful for the professionalism and care I receive.
- Reviewed on 10/14/2025
I was skeptical about an initial visit being virtual, but felt listened to and attended to.
- Reviewed on 10/9/2025
Dr. Cheng is always prompt and attentive.
- Reviewed on 9/28/2025
Very grateful that he is my doctor! Excellent care!
- Reviewed on 9/20/2025
He is the only doctor I've seen in 20+ years who could figure out what is causing my headaches and put me on the path to having no more headaches! He is simply amazing! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
- Reviewed on 9/10/2025
Excellent
- Reviewed on 9/6/2025
And Dr. Cheng is not only a brilliant neurologist, a national and international researcher, he is a kind and caring human being. [redacted] I've met early doctors. He is at the top of the pyramid. I have rare diseases. He's been the only doctor that has done the research, helped me, found me other specialists who could at least try to help me. I would not be here if I hadn't researched and found him regarding complex rejuvenation syndrome. [redacted]
- Reviewed on 8/31/2025
The appointments are always very quick so we do not talk much or review my history. He is very kind and thorough.
- Reviewed on 8/24/2025
I have no issues with the provider once I connected with the virtual video. He answered my questions and was very pleasant.