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Hsinlin Thomas Cheng

Hsinlin Thomas Cheng, MD, PhD

Pain Medicine

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Adults
  • Geriatrics

Languages

  • Hokkien
  • Chinese - Mandarin
  • English

Gender

Male

About Hsinlin Thomas Cheng

Hsinlin Thomas Cheng, MD PhD, is the Director of Headache and Neuropathic Pain Unit, Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital. He specializes in both adult Neurology and Pain Medicine. Dr. Cheng treats patients suffered from headache to other neuropathic pain syndromes. Dr. Cheng complete his doctoral program of Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, he completed his residency in the Department of Neurology at Wayne State University before taking on a clinical fellowship at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a research fellowship at the Weill Medical College at 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 a member of American Pain Society, and American Academy of Neurology. He is a fellow of American Neurological Association. He received a NIH KO8 award. Previously, he was a recipient of a Fellowship Training Grant from the National Cancer Institute from 2004-06. He was awarded Wolfe Research Prize by the American Neurological Association in 2010, and Freeman Pain Award from 2014-17.

Dr. Cheng is devoted to research, clinical practice, and education to improve the current knowledge and management of headache and neuropathic pain. He researches the molecular mechanisms of headache and neuropathic pain in both laboratory and clinical settings. He sees patients in Neurology Clinic at Wang Building and perform procedures including nerve blocks, trigger point and Botox injections.

Locations

  1. Massachusetts General Neurology
    • 52 Second Avenue, Blue Building Suite 3100, Waltham, MA 02451
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  2. Massachusetts General Neurology
    • 55 Fruit Street, Wang Building, 8th Floor Suite 835, Boston, MA 02114
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  3. Massachusetts General Neurology Clinic
    • 55 Fruit Street, Wang Building, 8th Floor, Suite 835, Boston, MA 02114
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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

  • Pain Medicine: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2007
  • Neurology: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2005

Insurance

This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown. Please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Search plans
  • 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
  • Medicare ACO
  • Multiplan
  • Railroad Medicare
  • Senior Whole Health
  • TriCare
  • Tufts Health Plan
  • Tufts Medicare Preferred
  • United Health Care
  • Wellpoint
  • WellSense
  • WellSense NH

Ratings & Reviews

4.7 out of 5

105 ratings, 40 reviews

The 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.

How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends?
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  • 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.

  • Reviewed on 8/16/2025

    Dr Cheng is always the best

  • Reviewed on 8/14/2025

    Dr Cheng and his student very helpful and took their time to listen even though I was just get pin point injections. The receptionists where nice but seemed very disorganized when I left. Had an afternoon appointment and no one knew who was in charge of doctors calendar for appointment and they almost forgot to take my blood pressure and grabbed me as I was leaving.? Doctors where awesome and others (no nurses did not help me this time) where just ok, for a neurological office it was not what MGH usually is

  • Reviewed on 8/8/2025

    Dr. Cheng was attentive and genuinely concerned about what was going on with me. I appreciate his thoughtfulness with my treatment plan. 2 things - just a little hard to understand thru the zoom mtg. Although the virtual meeting is really convenient, I think I would have been able to communicate as well as understand his comments better if it were an in-person visit. Thank you

  • Reviewed on 8/4/2025

    Dr.Cheng is the best doctor I have dealt with in my life,I thank GOD for him.

  • Reviewed on 7/28/2025

    Dr Cheng is an awesome provider I really like his opinion on my neurological care.

  • Reviewed on 7/26/2025

    My neurologist listens attentively and is very knowledgeable of my condition if I have emergency I am seen that day as an emergency.! I appreciate his care and his concern about my pain management Ali Though sometimes frustrating to both of us we come together with new ideas ? n moving forward ! Before I met him My life was such pain at least now I'm At manageable place and have better understanding and support from my neurologist

  • Reviewed on 7/21/2025

    Began virtual appontment on time. Overall, a very satisfactory meeting.

  • Reviewed on 7/18/2025

    Dr. Cheng is a wonderful neurologist who listens to his patients and helps guide care in line with what the patient wants. Jennifer Cheng is also marvelous and helped me set this up out of genuine concern - I can't thank the Cheng's enough for helping me.

  • Reviewed on 7/7/2025

    It was my first zoom meeting and it was a little different. I felt I was being rushed. [redacted] An appointment was made for the next step in my treatmrnt but was not explained fully.

  • Reviewed on 6/30/2025

    Helpful, no fluff which I appreciate, listened to my concerns and was real about my condition

  • Reviewed on 6/21/2025

    Dr. Cheng has been a wonderful provider of excellent care for me. His careful thoughts and treatment of my health problems has been very successful. I am most thankful for his care.

  • Reviewed on 6/18/2025

    All of my interaction with MGH has been excellent. Dr. Cheng, whom I met recently, is extremely thorough and his input is always appreciated.

  • Reviewed on 6/18/2025

    Knowledgeable neurologist. Slight language barrier made bilateral communication a bit tricky. Some errors were noted in provider's follow up visit note, including incorrect patient gender.

  • Reviewed on 6/18/2025

    He usually listens to what I have to say and be very patient as English is not my primary language.

  • Reviewed on 5/22/2025

    I do appreciate Dr. Cheng and especially within the coordination of care that's also provided by the team of Dr. [redacted] and the other remaining staff. I do appreciate that. The unfortunate recurrence of my pain makes me a continued patient and my confidence that we can figure out a solution is high, just taking it one day at a time. I appreciate the responsiveness and the attention and the follow- up to date.

  • Reviewed on 5/21/2025

    Dr. Cheng gave me some hope about my migraines. That there is a cause, and if we address the cause of my migraines, we can get them under control. That has given me so much relief to know that living with less pain is within reach.

  • Reviewed on 5/14/2025

    Dr. Cheng's knowledge of my condition was incredible. He has been able to provide me with relief of pain that I've had over 20 years. And I would highly recommend Dr. Cheng to any of my family or friends.

  • Reviewed on 5/14/2025

    Dr. Cheng, my neurologist, is absolutely positively amazing. He's extremely professional. He cares a lot about his patients. He gives all the information to any and all questions that you have, and he is just an overall an outstanding doctor. I am very happy with all the care that has always been provided to me from him. He's a great asset to Mass General. Thank you.

  • Reviewed on 5/12/2025

    Listens talks clearly about concerns

  • Reviewed on 5/11/2025

    Dr. Cheng has always been extremely professional, competent, and thoughtful in his care for me. Period. I appreciate very much all he has done for me to relieve my pain. Period. Thank you.

  • Reviewed on 5/2/2025

    The doctor is always knowledgeable and helpful.

  • Reviewed on 5/1/2025

    It's too early to really say much, this was a first visit after being referred to the facial pain clinic at Mass General. The Dr. did not appear to have reviewed the notes from the referring doctor and mostly gathered information, but hopefully he can help with my issue.

  • Reviewed on 3/30/2025

    Ive been suffering with neurological pain for years. My first visit with Dr. Cheng was great. He was very thorough and kind. He really took the time to get to know my issues. I look forward to being under his care.