A new survey taken place over the next two months will gather information which will hopefully lead to a better understanding and treatment of chronic injuries suffered by climbers. While there are many studies on acute injuries, which occur suddenly during activity and last for a short period of time, there is little information on chronic injuries that are often a result of overuse and last for many months or even years.

Alex Folkl, a Canadian climber and medical student, created the survey and hopes the information will lead to improved treatment for climbers suffering from chronic injuries.

Folkl says, “I never would have put it together, except that about two years ago, I started to develop some pretty severe lower back pain that eventually put me out of climbing for about one-and-half years. Today, with regular physical therapy and the occasional anti-inflammatory, I can climb again. When I originally hurt my back, I'd gone through the medical literature looking for guidance and found nothing.

Climbers are encouraged to fill out the survey. It is anonymous, takes less than five minutes to complete and consists of only 15 questions.

Please fill out the survey located here.