I'm not sold on PT either, but I think it's because I haven't found the right PT yet for my particular situation, not because the whole discipline is bunk. After trying a few different PTs and treatment providers for my knee injuries, I finally found one PT who, in one visit, taught me rehab exercises to do at home, and a taping method that worked fantastically. In one visit, he armed me to rehab my knees and prevent injury in the future. He's a knee guy, and I have yet to find a hand / wrist / elbow / shoulder guy / gal, but I believe he or she is out there. If I had that resource, my first stop would be my friendly neighborhood PT with whom I have a long term relationship. I've been nursing a bicep issue for the last few months that I'm sure could be addressed with two sessions of physical therapy, to learn exercises to better balance my shoulders and arms. But, I just haven't found a PT with experience with climbers, and that's a prerequisite for me.

I think part of it is learning to be a good consumer of medical services. I've had experiences like yours, where the provider just didn't listen, didn't help, and at the end, I was no better (or, was even worse) then when I started. Now, I'm more careful about correcting course early. If the provider isn't listening, I take my very limited time and money elsewhere.

Fingers crossed that you get a helpful diagnosis. Please keep us posted… I learn so much from reading other peoples' injury reports. I keep thinking that I missed my calling… I wish I'd become a physical therapist!