Dr Nan Cheng, UCNS certified headache specialist, in Irvine offering personalized care for migraine, facial pain, Botox, nerve blocks, and direct access to your physician.

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, University of Maryland, 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

Media

A woman speaking at a conference table with a nameplate that reads Nan Cheng, MD at Headache on the Hill advocating for migraine patients.

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

An interview with Dr Nan Cheng about Neuromodulation Effective for Migraine With and Without Aura. Author: Jeff Craven. Date: July 03, 2025. Publisher: Medscape.

Read about Dr. Cheng’s Interview with Medscape about neuromodulation and migraine

Doctor Nan Cheng wearing sunglasses and a purple shirt with the logo 'Miles for Migraine' is speaking into a microphone advocating for migraine disorders at Miles for migraine

Watch Dr. Cheng speak at the 2024 Phoenix Miles for Migraine Race

Doctor Nan Cheng smiling during a video call with affiliation with the University of California speaking about migraine disorders research

Watch Dr. Cheng’s Interview with MD Alert about using neuromodulation to reduce procedural pain

Headline stating 'Remote electrical neuromodulation with Botox improves outcomes in chronic migraine' with date July 10, 2025, and a 2-minute read time, alongside Healio logo, an interview with Doctor Nan Cheng about migraine.
A promotional graphic for The Headache Alliance featuring a headshot of Dr. Nan Cheng, smiling and wearing a gray blazer and light blue blouse, with information announcing her as a new board member for the Alliance for headache disorders.

Read about Dr. Cheng’s Interview with Healio about her exciting neuromodulation study with Mayo Clinic

Read about Dr. Cheng’s appointment to the board of The Headache Alliance, a nonprofit organization advocating for patients with headache disorders.

Dr Nan Cheng's interview with the migraine science collaborative about making botox treatments less painful for patients

Read about Dr. Cheng’s interview with the Migraine Science Collaborative about Botox

An infographic encouraging follows for Dr. Nan Cheng, a headache specialist at Mayo Clinic. The image includes a photo of Dr. Cheng, a brief biography, and the logo for Miles for Migraine.

Read about Dr. Cheng’s selection as a Fellow for Miles for Migraine, a nonprofit organization supporting patients with migraine disorders.

Orange County has no shortage of specialists, but headache medicine is a distinct subspecialty that most neurology practices are not equipped to handle at the level that complex or chronic cases require. UCNS certification in headache medicine requires a dedicated fellowship and a separate board examination. It is not a standard part of neurology training, and fewer than 600 physicians in the country hold it.

Why patients choose Irvine Headache Care


One of the country's top headache specialists, in your backyard

Until now, getting access to a UCNS-certified headache specialist has typically meant driving to Los Angeles or waiting months at a large academic medical center. At Irvine Headache Care new patients are typically seen within a week of contacting the practice.

Appointments built around your case, not a schedule

Your first visit is a full hour. Dr. Cheng will take a complete history, ask about things prior providers may not have thought to ask, and build a treatment plan specific to your case rather than your diagnosis code.

Every appointment is with Dr. Cheng

At most neurology practices, follow-up care gets handed off to nurse practitioners or covered by whoever is available. That does not happen here. Your case stays with one physician from the first visit forward.

No referral needed

Patients can contact Irvine Headache Care directly and are welcome to self-refer.

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