By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS Rock climbing, like all other sports, has risk factors that contribute to injury rates. Knowing what factors contribute to added injury risk can help participants build better training programs and potentially reduce future risk of injury. Luckily, researchers have begun to ask these questions and have made progress in...
By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS Competitive youth climbing is a rapidly growing sport. With the large increase in indoor climbing gyms has come a significant increase in access to the sport of rock climbing. Many of these gyms have recreational and competitive youth programs that have led to a much larger exposure to the...
By John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a condition that arises from an imbalance between training, recovery, and the body’s ability to adapt. In the context of rock climbing, which is a demanding sport requiring strength, endurance, and mental acuity, recognizing the signs and symptoms of OTS can help to avoid injury...
By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS Introduction Lateral elbow pain is a common complaint among rock climbers, often impacting performance and enjoyment of the sport. While several conditions can cause this discomfort, two primary culprits are wrist extensor tendinopathy and triceps referral pain. Distinguishing between these conditions is necessary for effective treatment and rehabilitation. In...
Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a condition that arises from an imbalance between training, recovery, and the body’s ability to adapt. In the context of rock climbing, which is a demanding sport requiring strength, endurance, and mental acuity, recognizing the signs and symptoms of OTS can help to avoid injury and setbacks in reaching goals ....
Colorado’s premier practice aims to empower rock climbers with the knowledge to heal from rock climbing injuries faster and prevent similar issues in the future. BOULDER, Colorado – The thrill of scaling a challenging rock face is undeniable, but the sport can also leave its mark on the body in the form of various injuries....
Introduction Climbing is a physically demanding and exhilarating sport that requires a combination of strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. Unfortunately, when injuries to the shoulder occur some elements of good shoulder function tend to be negatively impacted. With any good Physical Therapy program, the compromised elements are found and targeted with exercise to restore function....
As climbers, we know that finger strength and endurance are key factors in our performance on the wall. That’s why it’s essential to stay informed about the latest research on the finger pulley system—the intricate network of tendons and ligaments that support our finger joints. In this article, we will explore the findings of a...
Climbing is a demanding sport that requires exceptional grip strength and finger dexterity. Because of this, climbers are at risk of developing finger injuries, including lumbrical strains, which can significantly affect their climbing ability. In this article, we will explore the biomechanics of lumbrical strain in climbing, its etiology, and management strategies. The lumbricals are...
Carpal tunnel syndrome is common among rock climbers due to the repetitive stress that climbers put on their wrists and forearm muscles. This can lead to loss of strength in the hand, difficulty feeling the holds under your fingers, and significantly impact your climbing. Carpal tunnel syndrome or the entrapment of the medial nerve at...
