Climbing Injury Clinic in Southampton
Recover, Climb Stronger and Stay Injury-Free
At Southampton Physio, we understand that climbing isn’t just a sport – it’s a passion, a lifestyle and, for many, a vital outlet for stress and social connection. But injuries can get in the way, making every move feel uncertain and keeping you off the wall longer than you’d like.
That’s where we come in. Our Climbing Injury Clinic, in collaboration with Oli Cheshire from High Life Climbing, is designed to help climbers recover fully and climb better than before.
We don’t just focus on getting you pain-free – we help you fix the root cause of injuries, improve movement efficiency and build the strength to climb harder, smarter and injury-free.
How Physiotherapy Helps Climbers
Climbing places unique demands on the body, with high loads on the fingers, shoulders and core. Overuse, poor technique and strength imbalances can lead to common climbing injuries such as:
- Finger pulley injuries (A2, A3 ligament strains)
- Tendonitis and tenosynovitis (finger and wrist)
- Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff strains
- Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow
- Biceps and triceps strains
- Knee injuries from high stepping and heel hooking
- Ankle sprains from falls and bad landings
We don’t just treat injuries – we work with you to understand why they happened and build resilience so they don’t happen again.
What to Expect at the Climbing Injury Clinic
1. Comprehensive Assessment
- In-depth injury analysis - We assess how your climbing style, movement patterns and training habits contribute to your injury.
- Climbing-specific movement screening - Identifying mobility, strength and technique deficits that could be putting you at risk.
- Video analysis (where needed) - Breaking down movement patterns to spot inefficiencies that may be leading to injury.
2. Hands-On Treatment and Pain Relief
- Manual therapy to improve mobility, relieve muscle tension and restore movement
- Dry needling and sports massage for recovery and circulation.
- Joint mobilisations to improve flexibility and function.
3. Climbing-Specific Rehabilitation
- Progressive loading plans to strengthen injured tendons and muscles.
- Climbing-specific strength exercises for grip endurance, scapular control and core stability.
- Return-to-climbing protocols to safely rebuild movement confidence.
4. Performance Coaching with High Life Climbing
- Exclusive collaboration with Oli Cheshire (High Life Climbing) - to ensure that rehab doesn’t just stop at recovery, but includes climbing-specific strength and movement coaching.
- Mobility and technique adjustments to improve efficiency on the wall.
- Training load management strategies to prevent overuse injuries and maximise gains.
Why Choose Southampton Physio for Climbing Injuries?
- Climbing-Specific Expertise – We understand the demands of climbing, from finger strength to dynamic movement control.
- Partnership with High Life Climbing – Rehab isn’t just about recovery - it’s about climbing better.
- Integrated Approach – Our team of physios, osteopaths and strength coaches work together to create a seamless rehab and performance plan.
- Located at Boulder Shack – Rehab in a climbing-focused environment with access to climbing-specific rehab tools.
- Long-Term Support – Whether you're recovering from an injury or want to climb stronger for longer, we provide ongoing coaching and performance training.
Success Stories from Climbers Like You
“I injured my shoulder from overtraining, and I was devastated thinking I’d lose months of progress. The team at Southampton Physio not only got me back on the wall, but with Oli’s coaching, I feel stronger and more efficient than ever. I wish I’d done this sooner!”
– James, Sport Climber
“After a pulley injury, I kept trying to push through the pain – until I realised I was making it worse. These guys helped me rehab properly, fix my training mistakes and now I climb without fear of re-injury.”
– Emma, Boulderer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to recover from a climbing injury?
It depends on the severity and type of injury. Finger pulley injuries can take 6-12 weeks, while shoulder injuries might take longer depending on the rehab process. We create a personalised recovery plan to get you back climbing safely.
Can I keep climbing while recovering?
In many cases, yes – but with modifications. We’ll guide you on safe climbing adaptations and exercises to keep you progressing while avoiding further injury.
Do I need to be injured to benefit from this clinic?
Not at all! Many climbers come to us for strength training, movement analysis and injury prevention strategies to climb harder and avoid setbacks.
Do you offer online consultations?
Yes, we provide virtual assessments and rehab plans if you can’t make it to the clinic in person.
Booking
Book Your Appointment and Climb Stronger
Don’t let injuries hold you back. Whether you’re dealing with pain, a recent injury or want to refine your climbing technique, we can help.
- Book your consultation today and take the first step towards climbing pain-free and stronger than ever.