CLIMBERSVoltex Physical Therapy · North Austin
A tweaked finger pulley, climber’s elbow or a shoulder that won’t let you lock off? A Doctor of Physical Therapy at our North Austin clinic gets you back on the wall, and keeps you there.
Most clients feel a difference within the first few visits.
The short answer
Climbing injuries are mostly overuse injuries of the fingers, elbows and shoulders, and they build up over months of pulling hard rather than from one fall.
At our North Austin clinic, a Doctor of Physical Therapy looks at your grip, your shoulders and how you train, treats the pain hands-on, then loads the injured tendon step by step so you can keep climbing, from the gym to the Greenbelt to Reimers Ranch.
Understand your pain
The 6 most common injuries we see in climbers at our North Austin clinic, and the signs of each one.
Feels like: a pop or sharp pain at the base of a finger on a crimp, then swelling and pain with gripping.
Often caused by: a crimp loaded hard when the finger is cold or tired, most often the ring and middle fingers.
Feels like: a deep ache along the palm side of a finger or wrist that lingers for days after a hard session.
Often caused by: a jump in volume or crimping without enough rest for the tendons to adapt.
Feels like: pain on the inside of the elbow with pull-ups, lock-offs and gripping, sometimes into the forearm.
Often caused by: forearm and grip strength loaded faster than they’ve been built, often with weak shoulders behind them.
Feels like: a pinch at the front or top of the shoulder on gastons, dynos and overhead reaches, or a shoulder that feels loose.
Often caused by: a stiff upper back and a rotator cuff that can’t keep the shoulder centered at full stretch.
Feels like: pain on the pinky or thumb side of the wrist on slopers, mantles and underclings.
Often caused by: a wrist loaded in end-range positions without the strength to control it.
Feels like: tightness and headaches after a long day of looking up at the wall or belaying.
Often caused by: hours in an upward gaze with a rounded upper back, plus far more pulling than pushing in training.
Sound familiar?
Finger, elbow or wrist pain? See elbow, wrist & hand pain treatment in Austin. Shoulder pain? See shoulder pain treatment.
New at Voltex
Where the evidence stands: the published trial on NEUBIE water-bath stimulation is in nerve pain of the feet, not climbers, so we treat it as one tool inside a plan built on proven progressive loading. Learn more about NEUBIE at Voltex.
What the research says
In a survey of 667 climbers, 58% reported a chronic injury in the past six months. Fingers (41%), shoulders (19%) and elbows (18%) were the most common sites.
Finger and elbow tendon injuries recover best with progressive loading, not just time off. Current guidance for climbers recommends early, graded strength work rather than long rest.
In a 2025 randomized trial of 150 adults with nerve pain in the feet, NEUBIE stimulation delivered through a water bath improved pain and sensation more than standard TENS. No one has studied it in climbers yet; we use the same water-immersion approach on hands.
Your plan at Voltex
Every visit is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy for the full session at our North Austin clinic.
A 75-minute evaluation of your fingers, elbows, shoulders and the moves that hurt.
Manual therapy, dry needling and the NEUBIE hand bath to settle irritated tendons and nerves.
Progressive finger, forearm and shoulder loading, from no-hangs to the hangboard, at the right pace.
A step-by-step plan back to your project grade, with checkpoints along the way.
