Nikhraj Brar

Nikhraj Brar, MD is a Staff Physician at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine specializing in Pain Medicine within the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care. His clinical work focuses on pain management with particular expertise in musculoskeletal conditions.

Dr. Brar's research interests center on the interrelationship between obesity, physical activity, and low back pain. His work has examined how physical activity modulates back pain risk, particularly in overweight and obese populations, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). He has also contributed to medical education through developing case-based teaching curricula for pain medicine fellows.

His research demonstrates that increased BMI is a significant risk factor for back pain in Americans, with the risk escalating from normal weight through obesity categories. His work has shown that physical activity plays a more substantial mitigating role in overweight and obese populations than previously understood.

Dr. Brar has contributed to the field through publications in peer-reviewed journals, with his research being cited in subsequent studies examining chronic pain, obesity, and lifestyle interventions.