Clinical Management of the Rock Climbing Athlete

Cert. CMRCA | Online Continued Education for the Healthcare Provider

Finger Injuries | Upper Body Injuries | Lower Body Injuries

The Clinical Management of the Rock Climbing Athlete (Cert. CMRCA) is a continuing education program designed for healthcare professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and clinical decision-making skills in the evaluation and management of rock climbing–related injuries.

This program consists of three separate courses, each focused on a specific anatomical region, with a combined total of 36+ hours of educational content. Each course presents a structured approach to assessment, clinical reasoning, and treatment planning for climbing-related conditions, integrating current evidence, biomechanics, and practical application.

This program is intended for physical therapists and other healthcare professionals who work with climbing populations or are interested in developing competency in this area. Content is designed to support clinical practice and should be applied within the learner’s professional scope of practice.

Early Access Pre-Sale

A limited number of participants will have the opportunity to enroll during the Early Access phase of the program.

Early Access participants will receive:

• Access to each course unit as it is released

• Participation in live educational webinars offered throughout the year

• Opportunities to provide feedback that may inform ongoing course refinement

• Additional Resources Included with Enrollment

This offering is available during the initial release period as course content is finalized (May 1st).

Introductory Enrollment:
$997 (regular price $1,999)

Course Structure

The program is delivered as three courses, each focused on a major anatomical region involved in climbing-related injuries. Across the series, participants are introduced to a structured clinical framework that reflects common components of clinical practice, including:

• Injury overview and mechanisms

• Subjective examination

• Objective assessment

• Clinical reasoning and diagnosis

• Treatment planning and return-to-activity considerations

Each module presents a step-by-step approach to applying this framework, supporting the development of clinical reasoning and decision-making skills when working with climbing populations. Knowledge check quizzes are included throughout each course to reinforce key concepts.

Course Units

Finger Injuries (Launching May 1)

This course focuses on the finger complex, a frequently involved region in climbing-related injuries. Participants will review common conditions, including pulley injuries, tendon-related disorders, and joint pathology.

Content is organized to support understanding of injury mechanisms, collection of relevant subjective information, performance of targeted objective assessments, and development of appropriate management strategies. This course includes 12 hours of course content.

Upper Body Injuries (Launching June 1)

This course addresses the upper body and spine, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, cervical spine, and thoracic spine. Participants will review commonly encountered conditions in climbers and apply a structured clinical framework to their evaluation and management.

Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, movement assessment, and rehabilitation considerations relevant to climbing demands. This course includes 12 hours of course content.

Lower Body Injuries (Launching July 1)

This course focuses on the lower body and lumbar spine, including the hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Participants will review common conditions observed in climbing populations and apply a structured approach to examination and management.

Each module supports the process of understanding injury presentation, performing targeted assessment, and developing appropriate treatment and return-to-activity considerations. This course includes 12 hours of course content.

Certification

Completion of all three course units, along with the final examination, results in the awarding of:

Certification in the Clinical Management of the Rock Climbing Athlete (Cert. CMRCA)

This certification reflects completion of a continuing education program and is not a regulated professional designation or specialty certification.

Continuing Education Units: Pending approval
Estimated Course Content: 36+ hours

Included Supplementary Resources

Participants who enroll in the full course series will receive access to additional educational resources designed to support clinical application and ongoing professional development.

These resources include:

• A comprehensive exercise library featuring 1000+ climbing-specific rehabilitation and training exercises

• Case-based examples and programming to support clinical reasoning and application

• Educational content related to working with climbing populations in clinical and performance settings

Participants may also have access to:

• Opportunities for mentorship and discussion with course instructors

• Example rehabilitation and training progressions for climbing athletes

Additional resources may be provided to support learning and application of course concepts.

Instructor

Dr. Kevin Cowell, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT

Intended Audience

This course is intended for licensed healthcare professionals and students, including:

• Physical Therapists

• Physicians

• Athletic Trainers

• Chiropractors

• Sports Medicine Providers

• Strength and Conditioning Professionals

The content is designed for individuals working with or interested in working with climbing populations. All material should be applied within the learner’s professional scope of practice.

About the Program

Climbing participation continues to grow, and healthcare providers are increasingly encountering climbing-related injuries in clinical practice. This program is designed to support clinicians in developing a structured approach to the evaluation and management of climbing-related conditions.

Content integrates current evidence, biomechanics, and clinical reasoning principles to support application in practice settings.

Introductory Enrollment:
$997 (regular price $1,999)

(A limited number of participants will have access to introductory Early Access pricing during the initial release phase)