Natasha Barnes Sports Medicine & Rehab

Apr 2024

Like most climbers (and athletes), I let an injury go for way too long because I thought rehab would mean stopping and I kept hoping a little rest or slow down would fix things. It didn't. Dr. Barnes helped me understand why my tendon issues weren't going away and how to work through them. I didn't have to stop climbing and in weeks I improved and in less than two months I was significantly better off than before the injury. Since then I'm better at preventative strengthening and whenever I do hurt something I don't wait to address it, I just make an appointment with Dr. Barnes and get a plan in place.

Feb 2021

Natasha is brilliant and saved my shoulder. I injured my right shoulder in the gym doing a shouldery gaston move. It hurt like hell and I spent the following year going to 3 different physical therapists trying to recover. All of them told me to stop climbing and stop using the shoulder. Things got so bad to where I couldn't even brush my hair or chop lettuce. A year after the injury I saw a surgeon hoping that he'd have some answers. He ordered an MRI which showed a healthy shoulder, so he gave me the "there's not really anything we can do for you, try going back to physical therapy".I was pretty devastated and depressed, having lost a year of climbing, not able to use...read full review

Oct 2018

This review is long overdue - I'm a climber and have seen Natasha about some shoulder issues. Natasha completely rewired how I think about injury: I now recognize that one must engage in an active rehab program and focus on healing AND gaining strength simultaneously to promote recovery. She is an excellent diagnostic, and creates a strength-based rehab program to address root weakness so that you can return to sport recovered and stronger than before. From her I have learned so much about self-treatment and have gained holistic knowledge rather than one-time relief. Natasha is highly responsive to follow up questions regarding protocol and form - I've exchanged dozens of emails with her - and she is clearly invested in the progress and outcomes of those she works with. She is also just an awesome person - confident, compassionate, and she has a great sense of humor. Just the demeanor you need when you're feeling anxious about an injury and prognosis! Her blog is also an informative and well-written resource. I am so grateful to Natasha - we are so lucky to have her in our community.