Dr. Edward Albert G. Balbas, MD
For those of you unfamiliar with Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), I am a specialist devoted to the care of patients with disabling injuries and disorders. My primary goals are to assist patients in achieving maximal independence with optimal medical and functional recovery. I personally like this specialty because it allows me to change patient’s lives by treating musculoskeletal problems and improving their quality of life. It has been a very rewarding experience for me.
I am double board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. I am also a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) of the State of California. I finished my Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency training at the East Carolina University-Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, North Carolina in 2005. I pursued further training in Interventional Spine and Pain Management at the LAGS Spine and Sportscare in Santa Barbara, California and completed my fellowship training on July 2006.
I specialize in treating a wide range of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system: These include Spine pain, Upper and lower extremity pain, Carpal tunnel syndrome, RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), Peripheral joint disorders (shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles and feet).
I perform a vast majority of aggressive, non-surgical procedures such as epidural blocks (cervical,thoracic,lumbar), caudal epidurals, facet joint and medial branch block injections (cervical,thoracic,lumbar), and medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (cervical,thoracic,lumbar), lumbar sympathetic injections for RSD, SI (sacroiliac joint injection), superior hypogastric plexus block for pelvic pain, endometriosis, celiac plexus blocks for visceral pain. I also specialize in performing diagnostic studies such as Electromyography-Nerve Conduction Studies (EMG) and Lumbar Discography.
My interests outside work include playing golf, tennis, and listening to smooth jazz while having a good meal with my wife, friends and relatives.
I am excited to be a part of the dynamic and progressive OC Back & Body Doctors’ Team of health care professionals! I
Dr. Edward Albert Balbas, M.D. is a Pain Management Physician who specializes in spine care, chronic pain, general musculoskeletal, sports injuries, EMG-NCS, and fluoroscopically guided spinal procedures. Dr. Balbas received fellowship training in the area of Interventional Pain Management and Sports Medicine at the Spine and Pain Treatments Center located in Santa Barbara, California.
Dr. Balbas graduated from the University of Santo Tomas located in Manila, Phillippines. He also has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Santo Tomas. He is a member of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports, and Occupational Rehabilitation, and American Medical Association.