Kyaw Lin, DO

He/Him/His

Areas of Expertise

• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK US)
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
• Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
• Interventional Pain Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine
• Electrodiagnostic Medicine (EMG/NCS)
• Musculoskeletal Medicine
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Advanced Wound Care
• Medical Education & Curriculum Development
• Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Rehabilitation
• Medical-Legal Evaluations (QME/IME)

Biography

Dr. Kyaw Zaw Lin is a board-certified physician in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Pain Medicine with expertise in musculoskeletal medicine, diagnostic and interventional ultrasound, electrodiagnostic medicine (EMG/NCS), regenerative medicine, and comprehensive rehabilitation.

He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona after completing a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology at the University of California, Davis. He completed an Internal Medicine internship followed by residency training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and subsequently completed an ACGME-accredited Pain Medicine Fellowship at the University of California, Irvine, where he received advanced training in both interventional and non-interventional pain management.

At Touro University California, Dr. Lin serves as an Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he teaches musculoskeletal medicine, pain medicine, rehabilitation, anatomy through ultrasound, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). He is actively involved in developing innovative ultrasound-based curricula and hands-on procedural education, emphasizing the integration of anatomy, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based patient care into medical education. Touro faculty are recognized for combining teaching, scholarship, and mentorship, a mission aligned with Dr. Lin’s educational approach.

In addition to his academic responsibilities, Dr. Lin maintains an active clinical practice focused on nonoperative musculoskeletal care, spine disorders, sports and overuse injuries, peripheral nerve disorders, electrodiagnostic evaluation, ultrasound-guided interventions, and comprehensive pain management. His clinical interests also include regenerative medicine, wound care, functional restoration, and improving patient outcomes through multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

Dr. Lin has authored peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and educational materials in pain medicine and rehabilitation. His professional interests include ultrasound education, innovative medical curriculum development, musculoskeletal research, regenerative therapies, and advancing rehabilitation medicine through clinical education and interdisciplinary collaboration.

He is committed to mentoring future physicians by fostering clinical excellence, lifelong learning, compassionate patient care, and the principles of osteopathic medicine.
 

Clinical Specialty

• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)
• Pain Medicine
• Musculoskeletal Medicine
• Interventional Spine and Joint Procedures
• Ultrasound-Guided Injections
• Electrodiagnostic Medicine (EMG/NCS)
• Sports and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
• Spasticity Management
• Peripheral Nerve Disorders
• Regenerative Orthobiologics (PRP and related therapies)
• Advanced Wound Care
• Post-Acute and Skilled Nursing Facility Medicine

Education

• B.S. in Biotechnology, University of California, Davis
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)
• Internal Medicine Internship, University of California, San Francisco Fresno (UCSF Fresno)
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency, NYU Langone Health
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency, University of California, Irvine
• ACGME Pain Medicine Fellowship, University of California, Irvine

Certifications

• American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (ABPMR) – Board Certified, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (ABPMR) – Subspecialty Board Certified, Pain Medicine
• California Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Instructor/Director
• Wound Care Training and Advanced Biologic/Regenerative Wound Therapy Experience

Research

• Goldberg H, Firtch W, Tyburski M, Pressman A, Ackerson L, Hamilton L, Smith W, Carver R, Maratukulam A, Won L, Carragee E, Avins A. Oral Steroids for Acute Radiculopathy Due to a Herniated Lumbar Disk. JAMA. 2015;313(19):1915-1923. (Acknowledged for data acquisition and clinical site management.)
• Lin K, Seko K, Pastorius D, Kane L. Early Diagnosis of Compression Myelopathy Through Focused Neuro-Musculoskeletal Examination with Primary Focal Back Maneuver: A Case Report. PM&R. 2018;10(9):S97.
• Pastorius D, Lin K, Ahn J. Unusual Presentation of Brown-Sequard Syndrome in a Patient with Spinal Cord Contusion: A Case Report. PM&R. 2018;10(9):S82.
• Seko K, Lin K, Flamm M, Theivakumar S, Kingsbury D. Proximal Iliotibial Band Fenestration and Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection: A Case Report. PM&R. 2018;10(9):107.
• Young S, Lin K, Mandalaywala N, Kohout R, Stokes W, Seko K, Pastorius D. Disconcerting Hiccups Following Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection of Triamcinolone at the Knee Joint: A Case Report. PM&R. 2018;10(9):S66.
• Tramutolo J, Lin K. Surgical vs Conservative Treatment in Rotator Cuff Tear: Randomized Controlled Trial Review. Rehab in Review. October 2019.
• Teng J, Lin K. Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery in Adolescents and Young Adults. Rehab in Review. January 2020.

• Metastasis in the Lumbar Spine: Incidental Finding on a Difficult-to-Treat Low Back Pain
• Vitamin B6–Related Peripheral Neuropathy in a Diabetic Patient: A Case Study
• Baclofen-Associated Urinary Retention and Urinary Tract Infections: A Case Report
• Multifocal Nerve Compression Due to Unevacuated Chronic Thigh Hematoma After a Wakeboarding Injury
• Reviving an Underutilized Physiatry Tool for Pain: A Case Series on PAINAD
• A Case of Ulnar Neuropathy at the Wrist
• A Case of Unusual Back and Hip Pain Deficits Secondary to Malignancy
• Enhancing Medical Education Through Ultrasound-Guided Procedure Training Using Cadavers
• Early Ultrasound-Guided Procedure Training: Boosting Medical Student Confidence with Practical Workshops
• The Importance of Gait Preservation in the Elderly with Diabetes
• Evaluating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Severity Using Handheld Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS): A Case Study
• Tramadol for Pain Management Associated with Serotonin Syndrome
• Chronic Axial Low Back Pain and Bertolotti’s Syndrome in an Older Patient: A Case Report
• Unexpected Stripes in the Herd: A Rare Case of Neuropathy and Weakness
• Persistent Mid-Back Pain Due to Compression Fracture as Sequelae of Seizure
• Chronic Bilateral Heel Pain in Superimposed Distal Neuropathy: A Case Report
• Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine as a Treatment Option for a Patient with Multiple Comorbidities
• Treating Thoracic Pain with a Novel Ultrasound Technique
• Osgood-Schlatter Disease Oddly Diagnosed in Adulthood
• Trigeminal Neuralgia in the Setting of Scuba Diving
• A Case of Levator Scapulae Tendinosis
  * A Case of Cervicalgia as a Prelude to Cancer

Memberships and Affiliations

• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R)
• American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)
• American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM)
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)

Teaching Responsibilities

• Assistant Professor, Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Ultrasound Lead/Director for the Medical Ultrasound Curriculum
• Develop and deliver point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum for preclinical medical students
• Teach musculoskeletal medicine, anatomy, pain medicine, and rehabilitation topics
• Lead hands-on ultrasound laboratories, workshops, and procedural training
• Instruct students in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided procedures
• Mentor medical students in clinical reasoning, research, and career development
• Develop educational materials, examinations, and competency assessments
• Supervise rotating medical students and advanced trainees in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine
• Provide interdisciplinary education through interprofessional education (IPE) activities