Athletico
Athletico is a privately held outpatient physical and occupational therapy provider operating more than 900 clinics across 24 states and Washington, D.C., serving individual patients, employers, professional and collegiate sports organizations, and academic institutions with rehabilitation, workers' compensation, telehealth, and digital health services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersOak Brook, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Athletico does
Athletico Physical Therapy is one of the largest outpatient physical and occupational therapy providers in the United States, operating more than 900 owned-and-operated clinic locations across 24 states and Washington, D.C. Founded in 1991 by Mark Kaufman, the company is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, and is backed by private equity sponsor BDT Capital Partners. It serves individual patients seeking rehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions, workers' compensation and occupational health clients (through its Work4U employer program), professional and collegiate sports organizations (including the Chicago Bears, Iowa Wild, Big Ten Conference, and several ballet companies), and academic institutions through clinical education partnerships.
The service portfolio spans core outpatient physical therapy, occupational and hand therapy, workers' compensation case management, athletic training, and over 50 specialty programs (pelvic health, concussion and vestibular, pediatric therapy, back pain/spine, pain therapy, and home therapy), delivered in person at clinic locations and through a telehealth virtual visit platform. Technology components include the my.athletico.com patient portal, a free 30-minute assessment funnel, partnerships with Limber Health for remote therapeutic monitoring and a mobile app (September 2024), FOTO for standardized functional outcomes measurement, and Exxat One for managing student clinical placements across the network (launching January 2026).
Athletico generates revenue primarily on a fee-for-service basis through insurance billing for outpatient therapy visits, supplemented by workers' compensation services, employer onsite and Work4U contracts, telehealth visit fees, and Good Faith Estimates for uninsured self-pay patients. Distribution runs through the owned clinic network, employer enterprise sales, telehealth self-serve scheduling, and brand-building sports and community partnerships. As of June 2025, Athletico Holdings carried approximately $955 million in senior secured debt, and in June 2026 the company entered into a comprehensive recapitalization with stakeholders to substantially deleverage the balance sheet.
Athletico firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Athletico
- Legal name
- Athletico Management, LLC
- Website
- https://athletico.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Athletico is a privately held outpatient physical and occupational therapy provider operating more than 900 clinics across 24 states and Washington, D.C., serving individual patients, employers, professional and collegiate sports organizations, and academic institutions with rehabilitation, workers' compensation, telehealth, and digital health services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Athletico industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)
- SIC
- Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation Centers (HLAFAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sports Physical Therapy & Return-to-Play Rehab (HSADAIAB), Rehabilitation Return-to-Exercise Training (Non-Clinical) (HSADAAAK), Sports Rehabilitation, Return-to-Play & Performance Therapy Centers (MPAKAJAO)
Keywords
Where Athletico is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oak Brook
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Athletico business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Outpatient Physical Therapy Services: Fee-for-service revenue from physical therapy, occupational therapy, and specialty rehabilitation services provided at clinic locations. Revenue generated through insurance billing and patient payments.
- Workers' Compensation Services: Physical therapy and rehabilitation services for work-related injuries covered under workers' compensation insurance, including work conditioning, ergonomics assessments, and post-offer pre-employment testing.
- Telehealth/Virtual Visits: Virtual physical therapy consultations and remote therapeutic monitoring through secure video platform, providing flexible care delivery options.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Per visit | Insurance-covered services |
| Unit Pricing | Per visit | Uninsured/Self-pay services |
| Freemium | One time | Free Assessment |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Athletico product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Athletico operates an outpatient physical and occupational therapy network delivering in-clinic rehabilitation, telehealth virtual visits, workers' compensation (Work4U), athletic training, and specialty programs (pelvic health, concussion management, spine, pain therapy, hand therapy, home therapy, pediatric therapy) to individual patients, employers, and sports organizations across 24 states and the District of Columbia.
Product overview
Athletico Physical Therapy is a leading outpatient physical and occupational therapy provider offering a comprehensive suite of rehabilitation services across more than 900 locations in 24 states and Washington, D.C. The company operates as a single integrated healthcare delivery platform combining core physical therapy services (outpatient physical therapy, occupational/hand therapy, work injuries/workers' compensation, athletic training) with specialty programs (pelvic health, spine/back pain, concussion management, pediatric therapy, pain therapy) and advanced treatment techniques (Graston, blood flow restriction, dry needling). The service portfolio is enhanced by digital health capabilities including telehealth virtual visits, a patient portal, and partnerships for remote therapeutic monitoring. With the acquisition of Pivot Physical Therapy, Athletico has expanded its geographic footprint and now serves as the official physical therapy partner for various professional sports teams and collegiate organizations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Outpatient Physical Therapy Core physical therapy services treating back and neck pain, muscle strains and sprains, joint injuries, and sports-related injuries to restore mobility and reduce pain. Available to individual patients seeking rehabilitation services.
- Telehealth Virtual Visits Virtual physical therapy appointments via secure online video chat enabling patients to receive assessment and treatment remotely from licensed physical or occupational therapists.
- Occupational/Hand Therapy Specialized therapy services for hand and upper extremity conditions, including treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome and ergonomic issues.
- Work Injuries (Work4U) Workers' compensation services including work conditioning, ergonomics assessment, post-offer/pre-employment testing, and injury treatment for workplace incidents. Targeted at employers and workers' compensation insurance carriers.
- Athletic Training Sports medicine and athletic training services provided to schools, sports teams, and athletic organizations for injury prevention and performance.
- Concussion & Vertigo/Vestibular Therapy
- Pelvic Health Therapy Pelvic floor rehabilitation services addressing pelvic pain, incontinence, and related conditions for men and women.
- Back Pain/Spine Specialty Specialized spine health program focusing on treatment and management of back pain and spinal conditions.
- Home Therapy Services Physical therapy services delivered in patients' homes for those unable to travel to clinic locations.
- Pediatric Therapy Physical therapy services designed for children addressing developmental, neuromuscular, and orthopedic conditions.
- Pain Therapy Chronic pain management program using evidence-based approaches including pain neuroscience education and targeted interventions.
- Free Assessment Complimentary 30-minute injury assessments by licensed healthcare professionals without requiring prescription or referral.
- Specialized Services Bundle Over 50 specialty services including endurance rehabilitation, golf rehabilitation, ACL 3P program, functional movement screens, and TMJ/TMD therapy, plus advanced techniques such as Graston Technique, HawkGrips instrument-assisted therapy, blood flow restriction rehabilitation, dry needling, and McKenzie method.
- Direct Access Physical Therapy Physical therapy services available without physician referral or prescription in most states, enabling patients to start treatment directly.
- Limber Health Digital Solutions Hybrid healthcare model partnering with Limber Health to provide mobile app and remote therapeutic monitoring, connecting in-clinic therapy with digital solutions.
- Exxat One Clinical Education Platform Student placement management platform implemented across Athletico's network for streamlining clinical education and student rotation logistics.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% of patients would recommend Athletico
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Athletico
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Athletico technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Athletico partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- Friend of a MomminorPartnership to support maternal health initiatives.
- ExxatcoreExxat partnership to implement Exxat One platform for managing student clinical placements across Athletico's network of over 900 locations. Collaboration aims to streamline educational processes and support workforce development in healthcare. Launch scheduled for January 2026.
- Fleet Feet ChicagominorExclusive partnership with leading running specialty retailer in Chicago area to provide physical therapy services to runners.
- Big Ten ConferencecorePartnership on Football's Independent Medical Spotter Program. Virtual medical observation during games improves student-athlete safety.
- Limber HealthcoreStrategic partnership to deploy digital health solutions across Athletico's network of over 900 clinics. Partnership involves launching mobile app and remote therapeutic monitoring to enhance patient care and outcomes through hybrid healthcare models.
- Ballet Des MoinesminorPartnership to provide physical therapy services to the professional ballet company.
- PicklePlayminorExclusive partnership to provide physical therapy services to the growing pickleball community.
- Grand Rapids BalletminorPartnership to provide physical therapy services to the professional ballet company.
- Pivot Health SolutionsmajorPennantPark sold its portfolio company Pivot Health Solutions to Athletico Physical Therapy. Pivot provides physical therapy and occupational health services. The acquisition expanded Athletico's footprint in the healthcare services sector.
- Carson Physical Therapy of BryantminorAcquisition of Carson Physical Therapy of Bryant expanding Athletico's presence in Arkansas.
- Therapy Specialists of OklahomaminorAcquisition of Therapy Specialists of Oklahoma increasing Athletico's locations in Oklahoma.
- FOTO (Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes)corePartnership with Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc. to measure functional patient outcomes and patient satisfaction.
- Arthritis FoundationminorEarly partnership supporting arthritis awareness and patient education initiatives.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Athletico competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- U.S. Physical Therapy: Public operator of ~600+ outpatient PT clinics through a mix of wholly owned and joint venture partnerships, with comparable industrial therapy, sports medicine, and workers' comp services.
- Drayer Physical Therapy Institute: Outpatient PT chain operating hundreds of clinics nationwide, now a subsidiary of Upstream Rehabilitation; competes directly with Athletico in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation.
- Upstream Rehabilitation: Private outpatient PT platform owning multiple regional brands (Drayer, BenchMark, Results) with several hundred clinics; PE-backed competitor pursuing similar clinic rollup strategy.
- Ivy Rehab Network: Privately held outpatient PT and OT chain with hundreds of locations across the Eastern U.S., offering core PT plus specialty programs in pediatrics, orthopedics, and sports medicine.
- ATI Physical Therapy: One of the largest U.S. outpatient physical therapy chains, operating hundreds of clinics across multiple states with similar insurance-based, multi-specialty PT/OT service offerings as Athletico.
- BenchMark Physical Therapy: Multi-state outpatient PT chain within the Upstream Rehabilitation family, providing orthopedic, sports, and hand therapy comparable to Athletico's service mix.
- PT Solutions: Private outpatient physical therapy practice with national footprint, offering comparable orthopedic, sports, and pediatric therapy services including industrial/workers' comp programs.
Broad incumbents
- Concentra Group Holdings: Occupational health and workplace services provider with extensive clinic network and workers' comp focus; directly comparable to Athletico's Work4U employer services line.
- Select Medical Holdings: Large public healthcare services company operating outpatient rehab (NovaCare), inpatient rehab, and critical illness recovery hospitals, overlapping with Athletico in PT services but with a much broader portfolio.
Regional players
- Professional Physical Therapy: Northeast-focused outpatient PT chain offering orthopedic, sports, and occupational therapy; comparable service model but limited geographic overlap with Athletico's Midwest-anchored footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Athletico social profiles
Digital presenceAthletico financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Athletico leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Athletico subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Athletico funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Athletico M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A6 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Athletico
What does Athletico do?
Athletico operates an outpatient physical and occupational therapy network delivering in-clinic rehabilitation, telehealth virtual visits, workers' compensation (Work4U), athletic training, and specialty programs (pelvic health, concussion management, spine, pain therapy, hand therapy, home therapy, pediatric therapy) to individual patients, employers, and sports organizations across 24 states and the District of Columbia.
Is Athletico a public or private company?
Athletico is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Athletico founded?
Athletico was founded in 1991. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Athletico based?
Athletico is headquartered in Oak Brook, United States, in the North America region.
How does Athletico make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Outpatient Physical Therapy Services are the primary driver. The others are workers' Compensation Services and telehealth/Virtual Visits.
Who are Athletico's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are U.S. Physical Therapy, Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, Upstream Rehabilitation, Ivy Rehab Network, ATI Physical Therapy, BenchMark Physical Therapy and PT Solutions. Broad incumbents are Concentra Group Holdings and Select Medical Holdings. Professional Physical Therapy is listed as a regional player.
Does Athletico have an API?
No public API is recorded for Athletico.
What industry is Athletico in?
Athletico's product category is Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFAFAI, Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation Centers, with a secondary code of HSADAIAB, Sports Physical Therapy & Return-to-Play Rehab. Its NAICS code is 62134 and its SIC code is 8093.