Expert Physical Therapy for Seattle Climbers at Union PT

A New Chapter in Seattle Climbing Rehabilitation

If you are seeking specialized physical therapy for climbing injuries in Seattle, Union PT in Wallingford remains the premier destination for expert care. Our clinic specializes in treating finger pulley tears, climber’s shoulder, and medial epicondylitis (Climber’s Elbow). Our team of Doctors of Physical Therapy are active climbers who provide evidence-based rehabilitation tailored to the specific biomechanical demands of the Pacific Northwest climbing community. 

Mitch Owens PT is a climber and started Seattle's first climbing rehab program in 2012. Seen here trad climbing in the north cascades.

A New Chapter in Seattle Climbing Rehabilitation

While Jon is no longer a physical therapist at Union PT, our commitment to the Seattle climbing community is stronger than ever. Union PT was the first clinic in the region to develop a climber-specific rehab program, and we continue to set the standard for care in Seattle. 

In our clinical experience, climbers require a nuanced approach that balances active recovery with progressive loading to ensure long-term tendon health (Schöffl et al., 2022). Our team continues to provide the same high-level, hands-on care that has made us the trusted choice for athletes at Vertical World and the Seattle Bouldering Project. 

Meet Our Climbing Injury Specialists

Our climbing program is supported by a team of DPTs who understand the difference between a “crimpy” project at Gold Bar and a “pumpy” lead at exit 32. 

Seattle physical therapist and climbing injury expert Mitch Owens PT diagnoses and treats a pulley injury to return a climber to the climbing.

Lindsey Koski, DPT

Lindsey Koski DPT leads our finger pulley injury for climbers. Lindsey is climber and helped many other climbers return to peak performance so they can get out and crush their projects.

Lindsey is an expert in managing finger and hand injuries. Like many of our patients from Phinney Ridge and Fremont, she is an active member of the local climbing community and focuses on splinting, tendon glides and progressive loading for A2 pulley sprains so you can get back on your training plan.

Kevin Doherty-Regalia, DPT

Kevin Doherty-Regalia PT is a climber, and all around mountain athlete that help you diagnose the root cause of your climbing injury and make a plan to help you get back out there.

Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge in orthopedic manual therapy and sports-specific conditioning. He specializes in diagnosing shoulder pathologies and developing return-to-climbing benchmarks for post-surgical athletes. 

Caitlin Peters, DPT, FAAOMPT

Caitlin Peters PT has experience treating climbing injuries of all varieties. She is excellent at treating climber's shoulder and climber's elbow.

As a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy she has the background to help you with climbing related issues with one of the most diverse sets of tools and skills that an American PT can have. 

Mitch Owens, PT – Founder of The Climbers’ Project and Climbing PT in Seattle

Mitch Owens PT. Mitch founded the first climbing physical therapy program in Seattle in 2012. Mitch is a climbing injury prevention educator and mentors staff at Union PT to the best climbing injury specialists in the city.

As the founder of The Climbers’ Project, Mitch started the first dedicated climbing PT program in Seattle in 2012. While Mitch is not currently taking new patients, he remains a vital pillar of our practice:

  • Education: He continues to teach injury prevention seminars at Vertical World and the Seattle Bouldering Project for both youth teams and master climbers.  
  • Mentorship: Mitch provides active mentorship and clinical oversight to our therapists, ensuring the “Union PT Approach” to climbing rehab remains the most advanced in the city. 

Comprehensive Care for Every Climbing Injury

From youth competitors to master-level trad climbers, we provide specialized treatment for:

  • A2/A4 Pulley Injuries: Utilizing progressive loading protocols to restore tendon integrity (Schöffl et al., 2022).  
  • Climber’s Shoulder (SLAP Tears & Impingement): Manual therapy and rotator cuff strengthening to improve overhead reach and stability.
     
  • Elbow Tendinopathy: Addressing both medial and lateral epicondylitis through soft tissue mobilization and eccentric loading.  

“Like Sarah, a local climber who came to our Wallingford clinic after a pulley pop at the gym, we focus on making you feel better quickly while ensuring you are resilient enough to return to your project.”