Overcoming Shoulder Pain: Robert Andrews’ Journey to Recovery

Jordan Pysz / iFoundMyDoctor.com
Robert Andrews

In October 2020, Robert Andrews retired from a 28-year career in federal law enforcement, much of that time as a special investigative agent for the Department of Homeland Security. “We investigated violations of the immigration and customs laws of the United States,” Robert elaborates. “There are probably more than 600 statutes that we had the authority to enforce. We investigated everything from immigration benefit fraud to narcotic smuggling to human trafficking and child exploitation.” Now 55, Robert isn’t ready to retire completely yet, so to stay mentally fit, he works as a consultant with a finance company. To stay physically fit, Robert works out at the gym and plays pickleball and competitive tennis. Last November, right shoulder pain kept Robert off the tennis court. “My shoulder didn’t bother me with the underhand movement of pickleball, but it hurt quite a bit with any of the over-the-head movements in tennis,” he explains. “The pain rated at least a seven or eight on a scale of one to 10, and I was under the care of an orthopedist, who recommended physical therapy. Barr & Associates was one of the practices he recommended.”

JORDAN PYSZ / iFoundMyDoctor.com
With his shoulder pain relieved, Robert has returned to the courts and is once again playing competitive tennis.

“A Great Job”

Barr & Associates Physical Therapy is the Ormond Beach practice of Jacob Barr, PT, DPT, MTC, CEAS, CHT. During a thorough examination of Robert’s shoulder. Dr. Barr determined that Robert was suffering from overuse and a mechanical problem. “He also had what’s called impingement syndrome in his shoulder,” Dr. Barr reports. “That’s an issue where some of the rotator cuff tendons become pinched and inflamed, and that’s what was causing most of his pain and mobility limitations.” To correct the problem, Dr. Barr suggested a plan that started with laser treatments, soft tissue massage, passive range of motion stretching and joint mobilization. Dr. Barr gradually added strengthening and active range of motion exercises to the routine. “We showed Robert various exercises to do at home, and he was very compliant and diligent in doing those,” Dr. Barr acknowledges. “In the office, we focused more on the manual therapy techniques because Robert felt he was getting significant pain relief and improvement with those.” Robert is pleased with his level of recovery as well as his experience at Barr & Associates Physical Therapy. “My shoulder definitely feels a lot better now, about 85 to 90 percent better,” he enthuses. “I’m back to playing tennis again — and playing competitively — which was really my main goal. My pain now rates a two or three, depending on how active I am. If I play a lot of tennis, my shoulder will ache a little afterward. “I was pleasantly surprised with Barr & Associates because I had been through therapy years ago for another problem and didn’t have the best experience. “But Dr. Barr and his staff did a great job of assessing my issue, discussing my goals and being honest with me that getting better was going to take diligence on my part. “I highly recommend Barr & Associates Physical Therapy and already have.”