Kevin Cowell, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT, is a physical therapist specializing in the evaluation, treatment, and performance optimization of climbing athletes. He is the Founder of The Climb Clinic, a specialty physical therapy practice with locations in Boulder and Golden, Colorado, dedicated to serving climbers and mountain athletes.

Kevin works with climbers across the full spectrum of ability—from beginners to elite and Olympic-level competitors—and serves as a Team Physical Therapist for USA Para Climbing and the Arc’teryx Climbing Team. He is also Adjunct Faculty for the Regis University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, where he contributes to the education and clinical development of future physical therapists.

He is the developer of the Vector PPS, a pulley protection splint designed to support finger injury management and safe return-to-climb progression.

Kevin holds advanced credentials including a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).

An accomplished climber himself (5.13+/5.14), Kevin brings firsthand understanding of the physical demands and injury risks inherent to the sport. Through his clinical work, education, and active involvement in the climbing community, he is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of rock climbing athletes.

This course helps you develop specialized expertise in climbing-related upper body injuries, apply orthopedic principles within a climbing-specific clinical framework, build confidence evaluating and managing shoulder, elbow, and wrist injury patterns most clinicians never receive formal training in, and access rehabilitation strategies built around real climbing movement demands rather than generic overhead-athlete protocols.

Each module walks through the anatomy and injury mechanism of a specific upper body injury, how to differentiate it from similar-presenting conditions through clinical examination, evidence-informed rehabilitation progressions, and clear return-to-climbing guidelines, along with knowledge checks throughout to reinforce clinical reasoning.

This course provides 12 CEU contact hours (1.2 CEUs), approved in California (CPTA #26-223). Through reciprocity agreements, these hours are also accepted in the following states: [paste the full state list from the CMRCA bundle page's "CEUs & Contact Hours" section here].

If you're unsure whether these CEU hours will be accepted by your state licensing board, please contact your board directly to confirm, or reach out to kevin@theclimbclinic.com with questions.

Enroll in the full CMRCA certification instead and save $192 compared to buying them separately, plus get access to all the exclusive Certification Bonus Content.

What makes this course different from other orthopedic continuing education courses?
This course is specifically focused on the unique injury patterns, movement demands, rehabilitation considerations, and return-to-climbing decisions encountered when treating climbing-related upper body injuries.

How much does this course cost, and is a payment plan available?
This course is $497 for full access. A payment plan may also be available at checkout.

Do I need to be a climber to benefit from this course?
No. Many clinicians who treat climbers are not climbers themselves. This course provides the knowledge, terminology, movement analysis, and clinical framework necessary to confidently evaluate and manage climbing-related upper body injuries regardless of your personal climbing experience.

How long does it typically take to complete this course?
This course includes 12 contact hours of self-guided content. You can progress through the material at your own pace and revisit modules as needed.

How long will I have access to this course?
You'll have 3 years of access to all online course content through the learning platform, and all downloadable resources may be downloaded and retained for lifetime reference.

What injuries are covered in this course?
This course covers climbing-related upper body injuries spanning the shoulder, elbow, wrist, cervical spine, and thoracic spine, including anatomy, clinical examination, rehabilitation strategies, and return-to-climbing guidance for each.

Does completing this course earn me the Cert. CMRCA credential?
No. This course covers upper body injuries only. The Cert. CMRCA credential requires completing all three courses (Finger, Upper Body, and Lower Body Injuries) and passing the final certification exam with a score of 80% or higher. If you're interested in the full credential, the CMRCA certification bundle includes all three courses plus exclusive certification resources.

What if I primarily work with general orthopedic patients?
The concepts taught in this course extend beyond climbing and can enhance clinical reasoning, rehabilitation programming, and return-to-sport decision-making across a wide range of orthopedic populations.

Is this course appropriate for students and new graduates?
Absolutely. This course is designed to provide a systematic framework that helps students and early-career clinicians develop confidence in evaluating and managing climbing-related upper body injuries while strengthening clinical reasoning skills.

Can I access the course on mobile devices?
Yes. This course is hosted on an online learning platform and can be accessed on computers, tablets, and mobile devices with an internet connection.

Who do I contact if I have questions?
For questions regarding this course, enrollment, or technical support, please contact kevin@theclimbclinic.com.

How much does this course cost, and is a payment plan available?
This course is $497 for full access. A payment plan may also be available at checkout.

Do I need to be a climber to benefit from this course?
No. Many clinicians who treat climbers are not climbers themselves. This course provides the knowledge, terminology, movement analysis, and clinical framework necessary to confidently evaluate and manage climbing-related finger injuries regardless of your personal climbing experience.

How long does it typically take to complete this course?
This course includes 12 contact hours of self-guided content. You can progress through the material at your own pace and revisit modules as needed.

How long will I have access to this course?
You'll have 3 years of access to all online course content through the learning platform, and all downloadable resources may be downloaded and retained for lifetime reference.

What injuries are covered in this course?
This course covers the 12 most common climbing-related finger injuries, including anatomy, clinical examination, rehabilitation strategies, and return-to-climbing guidance for each.

Does completing this course earn me the Cert. CMRCA credential?
No. This course covers finger injuries only. The Cert. CMRCA credential requires completing all three courses (Finger, Upper Body, and Lower Body Injuries) and passing the final certification exam with a score of 80% or higher. If you're interested in the full credential, the CMRCA certification bundle includes all three courses plus exclusive certification resources.

What if I primarily work with general orthopedic patients?
The concepts taught in this course extend beyond climbing and can enhance clinical reasoning, rehabilitation programming, and return-to-sport decision-making across a wide range of orthopedic populations.

Is this course appropriate for students and new graduates?
Absolutely. This course is designed to provide a systematic framework that helps students and early-career clinicians develop confidence in evaluating and managing climbing-related finger injuries while strengthening clinical reasoning skills.

Can I access the course on mobile devices?
Yes. This course is hosted on an online learning platform and can be accessed on computers, tablets, and mobile devices with an internet connection.

Who do I contact if I have questions?
For questions regarding this course, enrollment, or technical support, please contact kevin@theclimbclinic.com.