Dr. Ali Baalbaki, MD

My experience with Sentara Pain Management has been good. The staff is always friendly, and Dr. Baalbaki has been a godsend in helping to figure out what has been causing the pain I have been experiencing for the last few years that interferes with my daily life. While I am not a fan of needles, being able to sit, bend down, and hug my grandson or do normal activities even if only for a few months, or longer, is all any of us could ask for. And everyone up here complaining should instead be thanking Dr. Baalbaki. There is indeed sometimes a wait time. I'm not sure there is or should be a time limit on inserting needles into spines. He can take as LONG as he needs. I can wait. He has always gone over the procedures with me as have his nurses, who also sent me home with a printout so I could read more about it. Don't be dissuaded by the reviews of angry people who are upset because they read 'pain management' and wanted medicine but got shots instead.

My mom, 85 years old, went to Dr. Baalbaki for years. When she returned to him this year for the extreme pain in her back, he was very rude and questioned her about some medications that were not even prescribed by him because of the cost of them and her walker (which he got her a few years back). She left with nothing immediately for her pain. He left the room and told the nurse to schedule her for an injection, not scheduled till June. She will not be going back to him. I really feel like the elderly are taken advantage of and not cared about.

DR Baalbaki is Wonderful in the ways he handles his Clinic and thinks long & hard about his patients

Had a new patient appointment with Dr Baalbaki today. Arrived 15 minutes prior to my appointment time. After an hour drive to get to the office, I waited an hour after having my vitals taken. After the hour wait in the treatment room I went to ask how much longer it would be to find out there were 2 more patients to be seen ahead of me after he leaves the room he was currently in. No one could explain why I was not made aware at any point during my appointment that the doctor was running behind. I walked out without being seen and will find a provider that has better customer service.

I was told not to come back until I would accept the surgery to install a spinal stimulator That was my last appointment. A few months later they called and inquired if I needed anything and was curious as to why I hadn’t been in contact with them. It wasn’t pleasant to say the least but I’ve actually experienced far worse from other pain management physicians and orthopedic surgeons. I’ve been searching for someone who is willing to help me all while spending tens of thousands of dollars in the process. I’m still suffering every single day but I have hope that God will answer my prayers when the time is right.

Dr Baalbaki is a fantastic Pain Specialist. He is doing his best to treat my pain with minimal pain meds. He has done multiple procedures instead of using a ton of narcotics like other pain specialists I've seen.

Wouldn't recommend. This guy is a total jerk. No eye contact. No regard for you as a person. Didn't look at my chart prior to my appt. I had to repeat myself to him cuz he wasn't listening. I was crying in the exam rm and he didn't care. He doesn't do pain meds, just shots. I'm on pain meds and he didn't offer any kind of plan to change them, get off of them or to continue, nothing. He suggested spinal shots, got up, told me to tell the nurses what I decided and I had to stop him to get him to discuss details about the shots. He was very short and impatient with me. Total jerk. Don't go to him. He doesn't care about his patients. GO ELSEWHERE IF YOU WANT REAL CARE!!

Don’t ever go to this office for real help ! They will not explain to you in detail the issues your having and procedures they will be attempting on your body ! Will have you wait in the office for 2hrs if you don’t switch your appointment time when they call and request! I was called a day prior to my appointment and asked to switch my procedure time for another patient, in which I couldn’t ! I arrived 30mins ahead of time as usual , I say usual cause this is my third shot in three weeks , and the first time I had to wait 2hrs to get my procedure over and done with ! I expressed my frustration with the doctor and told him I would be complaining to my advocate about the wait time and the fact that my procedure was not clearly explain to me and he got mad and canceled my procedure! Completely unacceptable, and unprofessional!! If you care about your health and knowing alll that your procedures inquire DO NOT TAKE YOUR LOVED ONES OR SELF HERE !! Dr. Baalbaki is extremely unprofessional,

If you look at each response by the doctor it says same thing. I went to him several years ago and I was in tears when I left and I never went back. He told me that he would not prescribe any pain killers only shots. I am 72 years old and have severe spinal stenosis. I don't think he even read my chart. I felt like he did not care. I was treated like a drug addict. Not everyone that takes pain meds are addicts. I have had chronic pain for years and have never abused my meds. I take it because it eases my pain so I can function. Something really needs to be done for the patients that have chronic pain.

He is an excellent doctor! He really takes the time to listen to your problems and I strongly recommend him to you. He talks you through everything and I really couldn’t ask for a better doctor!

Dr. Baalbaki and his team are wonderful! I’ve been suffering from neck pain and severe migraines for years and finally I feel like I have my life back in control again! He is a true blessing and would recommend him and his team to anyone!

I have been experiencing pain in the same location for >23 years and on the same medication for the past 12 years with good control. I was referred to this office for an intervention. Slowly, my medication is being taken away and I am being told I can’t handle pain, which is necessary for survival. I’ve been encouraged to try meditation. Each visit, he thinks my pain is in one place and not the actual place, despite having the chart in front of him. Maybe that is how things are done in Baghdad.

I just want everyone to know that you should avoid coming to this doctor. His only opinion is that you're not qualified for pain medication that you're only good for $2,500 spinal abrasion or shots in your back. Does not listen to what your previous physician treatments were. I just came out of his practice just a few minutes ago and he completely ignored my issue with severe intracranial vascular stenosis. My blood vessels in my brain are 50-80 percent blocked. I have been told.by my neurolog

All I Can say is he listens and advises me what to do. The Injections i get He Talk through it.

I was so disappointed with his demeanor. Not personable at all. I was having nerve block injection and instead of easing into it, it was a you will feel some pressure followed by a burning sensation Inserted the seringe and plunged away. I would rather got through another vasectomy. I was in tears by the third of four injections. I have canceled my appointments and deal with the pain. I am a human being in need of treatment, not an automobile being serviced for an alignment

Despite multiple pain problems (WELL documented) he went back to lowest available dose at 2-3 times the interval designed. He either made a Medication ERROR or LIED to me saying he was Rx'ing extended release. Refused to add anything for breakthrough pain -- including POST OP! Rejected surgeon's strong advice to use liquid form (SAME DOSE). Tricare choices very limited; may HAVE to return. VERY long wait to get appts. Forgets details during appts.

This guy is absolutely horrible. He asked me the same questions twice I had already told him about. I couldn't believe this guy wasn't listening. Even though I've been in a pain clinic for 7 years and just relocated he basically told me I didn't know what I was talking about and my previous doctors were wrong. Does not use main medications but will prescribe antidepressants because they've shown possible help but he will do injections. Doesn't make $$ of prescriptions so injections will do