Dr. Nan Cheng M.D.

Founder, Irvine Headache Care

Dr. Cheng is a nationally recognized leader in headache medicine, dedicated to advancing the field through research, clinical excellence, and federal advocacy. Her expertise is built on a foundation of elite training at Duke, UCLA, and the Mayo Clinic.

She serves as an Associate Editor for Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, a leading peer-reviewed publication in the field and the official journal of the American Headache Society. In this role, she helps curate and vet the latest clinical research and scientific breakthroughs that shape global standards of care.

Dr. Cheng is also a board member of The Headache Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for the 40 million Americans living with headache disorders. She is an active advocate for this community and meets regularly with Congressional representatives to support patients with headache disorders. In this capacity, Dr. Cheng was an invited panelist for a Congressional briefing at the Capitol Hill Policy Forum for Headache on the Hill.

A committed educator and researcher, Dr. Cheng has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and delivered presentations at national conferences. She previously served as an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine, where she was the founding Fellowship Director for Headache Medicine. She continues to shape the future of the specialty as a program director for HALO, an initiative mentoring the next generation of headache physicians.

Dr. Cheng founded Irvine Headache Care to create a practice centered on time, precision, and individualized care, where patients receive the attention and expertise their condition deserves. Her clinical expertise focuses on the most complex cases, including migraine, cluster headache, and trigeminal neuralgia, with a whole-person philosophy that looks beyond the prescription pad to restore function and help patients return to full, thriving lives.

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Dr. Cheng’s Credentials

BS Biology - Duke University
MD - University of Maryland
Neurology Residency - UCLA *Chief Resident
Headache Fellowship -Mayo Clinic
Cheng N, Halker-Singh R, Moskatel LS. Migraine Diagnostic Specificity and Treatment Patterns Across Asian Ethnic Subgroups: A National EHR and Census Study. Neurology – in peer review
Tram M, Cheng N, Jicha C. Differential impact of migraine with and without aura on severe maternal morbidity and postpartum readmissions: Insights from a national cohort study. Headache – Accepted
Cheng N, Anderson C, Zhang N, Vanderpluym J, Starling AJ. Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Reducing Procedural Pain in Patients with Chronic Migraine Receiving OnabotulinumtoxinA Injections: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Study. Headache. 2025. DOI: 10.1111/head.70032
Cheng N, Shirane R, Olson PA. Rising together: Building the next generation of reviewers in headache medicine. Headache 2025. DOI: 10.1111/head.70022
Cheng N, Halker-Singh R. Beyond Other: Exploring Representation of Minoritized Individuals in Headache Research. Headache. 2025. DOI: 10.1111/head.15013
VanderPluym JH, Cheng N, Zhu Y, et al. Treatment of medication-overuse headache in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Headache. 2025; 00: 1-12. doi:10.1111/head.14973
Nigam M, Cheng N. Essential readings in headache medicine: Top 10 educational articles for trainees from 2022–2024. Headache. 2025; 00: 1-3. doi:10.1111/head.14967
Bergbower EAS, Herbst C, Cheng N, et al. (2020). A novel early mobility bundle improves length of stay and rates of readmission among hospitalized general medicine patients. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2020;10(5):419-425. PMID: 33235675
Cheng N, Wied H, Gaul JJ, Doyle LE, Reich SC. (2018) SCA2 Presenting as Focal Dystonia. J of Clinical Movement Disorders. 5(6)1-5. PMID: 30123518
Frazzitta AE, Vora H, Price MS, Tenor JL, Betancourt M, Toffaletti DL, Cheng N, Perfect JR. (2013) Nitrogen source-dependent capsule induction in human-pathogenic cryptococcus species. Eukaryotic Cell. 12(11):1439-50. PMID: 23975889
Lee KM, Kim JI, Stott R, Soohoo J, O’Connor MR, Yeh H, Zhao G, Eliades P, Fox C, Cheng N, Deng S, Markmann JF. (2012) Anti-CD45RB/anti-TIM-1-induced tolerance requires regulatory B cells. Am J Transplant. 12(8):2072-8. PMID: 22494812
Cheng N, Olson PA. From Reader to Reviewer: First Steps in Peer Review for Residents. AAN Annual Meeting. April 2026
Cheng N. Capital Hill Policy Forum: Migraine & Headache Disorders: A Congressional Roadmap for Patient-Centered Care. February 2026.
Cheng N. Review of Headache Diagnosis and Treatment. Northridge Hospital Grand Rounds. October 2025.
Cheng N, Shirane R, Olson PA. Reviewers in Scientific Editing. American Headache Society Webinar. September and October 2025.
Cheng N, Anderson C, Zhang N, VanderPluym J, Starling A. Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Reducing Procedural Pain in Patients with Chronic Migraine Receiving OnabotulinumtoxinA Injections: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Study. AHS Scientific Meeting. June 2025.
Cheng N, Early-Career Session: Making the First Moves as a Clinician Researcher. AHS Scientific Meeting June 2025
Cheng N, Halker-Singh R. Mind the Gap: Closing the Diversity Divide for Asian Americans in Neurology Research. AAN Annual Meeting April 2025
Cheng N. Unmasking IIH Without the Usual Signs. International Headache Academy, Los Angeles. January 2025.
Cheng N*, Traore F*. What They Did Not Teach You In Training: Navigating Academic vs. Private Practice Contracts. Webinar through the American Headache Society. Jan 14 2025.
Cheng N*, Traore F*. Navigating the Job Market in Headache Medicine: Choosing Between Academia vs. Private Practice. Webinar through the American Headache Society. October 2, 2024.
Cheng N, Halker-Singh R. Beyond Other: Exploring Representation of Minoritized Individuals in Headache Research. American Headache Society Scientific Meeting, San Diego. June 2024.
Cheng N. Exploring Representation of Minoritized Individuals in Headache Research. Mayo Clinic Grand Rounds, Scottsdale Arizona. May 2024.
Cheng N, Arca K. Autonomic Dysreflexia. International Headache Academy, Los Angeles. February 2024.
Cheng N. Bariatric Surgery: A Weighty Matter for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Mayo Clinic Grand Rounds, Scottsdale Arizona. December 2023.
Connerney M, Keselman I, Cheng N, Eslami V, Nuwer M. Clarity Interpretation of Ceribell Rapid Response Electroencephalography Use Shows Limited Influence on Patient Disposition and Outcome. UCLA Collin’s Day Research Symposium. May 2023
Connerney M, Cheng N, Gummi R. Seizure and Dural Sinus Thrombosis in setting of COVID-19 with 3 and 6 Month Outcomes after Long-Term Anticoagulation. UCLA Collin’s Day Research Symposium. May 2022
Cheng, N. SCA2 Presenting as Focal Dystonia, American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, Los Angeles CA, 2018
Azimzadeh A*, Cheng, N*. Multiplex profiling of plasma proteins after xenogeneic lung exposure. International Xenotransplantation Association Joint Congress. November 2015
Cheng, N. Mapping the Connection Between Urea and Capsule Production in Cryptococcus gattii, American Society of Microbiology Annual Meeting, Denver CO, 2013

Read about Dr. Cheng’s advocacy on Capital Hill for migraine and headache patients.

Watch Dr. Cheng’s Interview with MD Alert

Why Choose Dr. Cheng?

Subspecialty Training

Mayo Clinic fellowship training dedicated exclusively to migraine and complex headache and facial pain disorders.

National Expertise

Active leadership in research, editorial work, and advocacy ensures care informed by the latest advances in headache medicine.

Timely Access

New patients are typically seen within one week, allowing earlier diagnosis and faster treatment adjustments.

Direct Physician Communication

Clear, direct access to your physician for ongoing questions and continuity of care.

Personalized Precision

Detailed evaluation and carefully tailored treatment plans built around your individual history and goals.

Whole Person Approach

Care that addresses not only pain, but function, lifestyle, and long-term stability.

What People Are Saying

She's brilliant and has wonderful patient skills. She is also a wonderful human being and has great compassion for patients. She has successfully treated me for occipital neuralgia. I trust her completely.
— MS
Dr Cheng spent a great deal of time with me and was very patient. I felt cared for and validated. She is the best neurologist I’ve had in over 30 years.
— JT
She is absolutely fantastic. I’ve seen dozens of doctors and she’s simply the best neurologist I’ve ever had. She always takes the time to listen and answer my questions, I’m never rushed. Other doctors left me in tears and incorrect diagnosis and rude and condescending and blaming me. But Dr Cheng has saved my life.
— EH
Nan Cheng is an amazing doctor and I feel very lucky to have her as my neurologist. I've been passed around to so many neurologists and her empathic and open approach has been like a breath of fresh air for me, she is so easy to talk to and extremely understanding. Past neurologists have made me feel like I was at a dead end with my condition and Nan Cheng seems to be willing to go above and beyond for me and I'm sure it's the same for anyone else she treats. I couldn't recommend her more she's absolutely amazing.
— BE
An amazing Doctor as well as being empathetic. She not only excels in treatment but truly listens to me. Answers all my questions, calms any fears I may have,and explains everything. I am blessed and thankful to have her as my neurologist.
— ES
Dr. Cheng is a fantastic neurologist. She truly takes the time to listen, carefully addresses all concerns, and has excellent bedside manner. After seeing many neurologists, she is easily one of the best in Orange County.
— ES
Dr. Cheng asked my many questions about my previous care and really listened to my responses. Her explanations for the plan of care she suggested was thorough, unlike many doctors, who seem like they are in a hurry to see their next patient. She even ordered some tests to ensure that she didn't miss any other plausible explanation for my chronic migraines. I highly recommend her as a neurologist specializing in migraine management.
— LM
Dr. Cheng was so knowledgable. When I looked up her bio I was impressed she trained at the Mayo Clinic. But the best part is her compassion. I felt like she really cared about me and will take care of me. After a few visits my migraines are much better.
— AL
I’ve been to loads of neurologists over the years and Dr Cheng is amazing!!! She takes time to actually listen to what’s going on and always tries to find ways to manage my complex migraines in the ways that suit our family needs the best. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a migraine doctor.
— JW
Dr. Nan Cheng is very nice and understanding and helpful! I get nerve block injections for my migraines and they are made quick and easy with her skillful work! I appreciate her a lot and recommend her as a headache specialist!
— AT
Dr. Cheng is an amazing neurologist. She pays attention and makes sure she understands what is going on and based on that she makes a plan for your care.

— MK
Dr. Cheng is hands down the best neurologist that I have ever been treated by. I have found more migraine relief in the last 9 months that she has been my doctor than in the last 20 years since I started experiencing migraines. She is extremely knowledgeable. She listens to each and every concern that I have when it comes to my care and addresses each one. She also has top notch bedside manner. If you're looking for a migraine specialist, I highly recommend her.
— IL