What Howard Head Sports Medicine does

Howard Head Sports Medicine is a physical therapy and sports medicine provider operating 10 clinic locations across Eagle County, Summit County, and the Roaring Fork Valley in Colorado. Founded in 1990, the organization is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vail Health, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community health care system. Its multidisciplinary team includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and sports psychologists, treating patients ranging from professional and Olympic athletes to pediatric, senior, and women's health populations. The company also functions as the official medical or physical therapy provider for U.S. Ski and Snowboard, USA Climbing, the Premier Lacrosse League, and the Vail Yeti Hockey Club, among others.

The organization delivers services across 14+ care lines, including orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, certified hand therapy, brain and balance care, pelvic health, chronic pain management, oncology and lymphedema therapy, total joint therapy, hernia repair, and pediatric therapies. Specialized programs include VO2 Max testing using Mixing Chamber technology (described as the gold standard for metabolic testing), medical bike fit assessments, gait analysis, Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) golf screenings, and a Return-to-Ski/Snowboard program. Service delivery combines in-person care at 10 physical clinics with telehealth consultations. The company runs formalized residency and fellowship programs (Sports Physical Therapy Residency, Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency, Hand Therapy Fellowship) to build internal clinical talent.

Howard Head Sports Medicine operates an insurance-based revenue model, with most medical services covered by health insurance plans including Medicare. The organization supplements clinical revenue through enterprise partnerships providing official medical and physical therapy services to sports organizations. Distribution is supported by an internal referral network within Vail Health's approximately 300 physicians and integrated partnerships with The Steadman Clinic (orthopedics), Shaw Cancer Center, Colorado Mountain Medical, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, and Vail Healthspan. As a nonprofit subsidiary, the organization reinvests in community programming including athletic trainers for high school sports, Vail Resorts SafeFit, Local Employers SafeFit, and sponsor running and biking clubs.

Name

Howard Head Sports Medicine

Legal name

Howard Head Sports Medicine

Website

https://howardhead.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Howard Head Sports Medicine is a Colorado-based physical therapy and sports medicine provider operating 10 clinic locations across Eagle County, Summit County, and the Roaring Fork Valley. Founded in 1990, it serves athletes, pediatric, senior, and women's health populations as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vail Health.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation Centers (HLAFAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Physical Therapy & Return-to-Play Rehab (HSADAIAB), Sports Medicine (HLAKALAB), Sports Medicine, Athletic Training & Rehabilitation Services (EDALAIAH)

Keywords

• Physical therapy services
• Sports rehabilitation
• Occupational therapy
• Orthopedic rehabilitation
• Athletic performance testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Vail

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Physical and Occupational Therapy Services: Revenue generated from providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and specialized rehabilitation services billed through insurance plans or direct patient payment. Services covered by most medical insurance plans including Medicare.
2. Specialized Programs and Assessments: Revenue from specialized services including medical bike fits, VO2 Max testing, golf screenings, gait analysis, and sports psychology consultations. Many medical services are covered by insurance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Howard Head Sports Medicine is a physical and occupational therapy practice providing world-renowned rehabilitation services since 1990 across 10 clinic locations in Eagle County, Summit County, and the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado. The core offering centers on physical therapy and orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, supplemented by specialized programs including certified hand therapy, brain and balance care (with speech therapy), pelvic health, chronic pain management, oncology and lymphedema therapy, occupational health, pediatric therapies, and telehealth. Advanced performance services include VO2 Max metabolic testing, medical bike fits, gait analysis, TPI golf screenings, return-to-ski/snowboard programs, and sports psychology.

Product overview

Howard Head Sports Medicine is a physical and occupational therapy practice providing world-renowned rehabilitation services since 1990. The organization operates 10 clinic locations in Eagle County, Summit County, and the Roaring Fork Valley in Colorado. The core offering centers on Physical Therapy and Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation, supplemented by specialized programs including Certified Hand Therapy, Brain & Balance Care (with Speech Therapy), Pelvic Health, and Pediatric Therapies. Advanced performance services are offered through Howard Head Performance, which includes VO2 Max testing, metabolic testing, Sports Psychology, and the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Golf program. The organization also provides medical bike fits, gait analysis, and specialized return-to-sport programs. Community outreach includes the SafeFit Employee Wellness Program, athletic trainer services for high schools, and partnerships with Vail Resorts for on-mountain medical coverage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical Therapy Expert physical therapy services for patients of all ages and abilities to rebuild body and spirit, working with orthopedic doctors and researchers.
• Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation Specialized rehabilitation services for orthopedic injuries and sports-related conditions, including bike fits, gait analysis, and return-to-sport programs.
• Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy services helping patients regain independence in daily activities and work-related tasks.
• Pediatric Therapies Physical and occupational therapy services specifically designed for children, addressing developmental delays and pediatric conditions.
• Certified Hand Therapy Specialized therapy for hand, wrist, and upper extremity injuries performed by certified hand therapists.
• Brain & Balance Care Comprehensive care for brain injuries, concussion recovery, and balance disorders including speech therapy services.
• Pelvic Health Specialized therapy for pelvic floor disorders, prenatal and postnatal care, and pelvic rehabilitation.
• Chronic Pain Management Comprehensive approaches to managing and treating chronic pain conditions.
• Oncology & Lymphedema Therapy Specialized therapy services for cancer patients including lymphedema treatment and rehabilitation.
• Occupational Health Services Workplace health services including SafeFit employee wellness program and ergonomic assessments.
• Total Joint Therapy Rehabilitation services for patients before and after joint replacement surgeries.
• Telehealth Remote therapy services allowing patients to receive care virtually.
• Speech & Language Therapy Speech therapy for adults and children including AAC devices, cognitive rehabilitation, and treatment for speech disorders.
• Bone Health Program Specialized program addressing bone density, osteoporosis prevention, and bone health through functional medicine and physical therapy.
• Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Golf Golf-specific assessment and training program evaluating physical limitations and swing mechanics to prevent injuries and improve performance.
• Medical Bike Fit Professional bike fitting service assessing biomechanics, flexibility, and medical conditions to optimize cycling comfort, prevent injury, and enhance performance.
• Gait Analysis Assessment of walking and running patterns to identify biomechanical issues and prevent injuries.
• Return to Ski/Snowboard Program Specialized rehabilitation program helping athletes safely return to skiing and snowboarding after injury.
• Sports Psychology Performance optimization and mental health services helping athletes recover from injury and achieve peak performance.
• Howard Head Performance Elite sports performance program offering VO2 Max testing, metabolic testing, and personalized training plans for athletes.
• VO2 Max Testing Cardiovascular fitness assessment using Mixing Chamber technology to determine optimal target heart rates for training.
• Hernia Repair Surgical and rehabilitation services for hernia treatment.
• Lactation & Pediatric Feeding Support services for breastfeeding mothers and pediatric feeding difficulties.
• SafeFit Employee Wellness Program Corporate wellness program providing ergonomic assessments, injury prevention, and health services for employees.
• Community Athletic Trainer Program Athletic trainers provided to high schools for sports medicine coverage and student athlete care.
• Vail Resorts SafeFit On-mountain sports medicine and wellness services for Vail Resorts employees and athletes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ years of treating athletes at all levels
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship and core.

• Vail Yeti Hockey ClubmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2022Howard Head Sports Medicine named Official Sports Performance and Physical Therapy Provider for the 2022-2023 Vail Yeti hockey season. Provides sport-specific physical therapy before, during, and after games for all 19 home games, plus a sports optimization program including pre/post performance assessments and hockey-specific group training sessions. Onsite training room at Dobson Ice Arena for injury triage and maintenance therapy.
• Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2022Howard Head Sports Medicine named Official Physical Therapy Provider for the 2022 Premier Lacrosse League season. Provides orthopedic and sport-specific physical therapy with doctorate-level, board-certified physical therapists at training camp and throughout the season. Paul Rabil, Co-Founder and President, expressed excitement about Howard Head keeping PLL athletes on the field using state-of-the-art recovery methods.
• U.S. Ski and SnowboardflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoward Head Sports Medicine serves as Official Medical Provider for U.S. Ski and Snowboard, supporting elite athletes in their orthopedic and physical therapy needs. The organization has a long-standing tradition of Howard Head clinicians supporting athletes at the Olympic level.
• USA Climbing TeamsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Medical Provider for USA Climbing Teams, providing physical therapy and sports medicine support for competitive climbing athletes.
• The Steadman ClinicflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration with The Steadman Clinic, the official healthcare provider and orthopedic partner of the Premier Lacrosse League. Howard Head Sports Medicine brings this collaboration and expertise to PLL athletes and other patients, working with world-class orthopedic doctors and researchers.
• Vail HealthflagshipOthersHoward Head Sports Medicine is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vail Health, a nonprofit community health care system offering one of the world's most advanced mountain hospitals. Vail Health is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to meeting the growing needs of the diverse region and encouraging wellness through population health management.
• Vail HealthspancoreOthersHoward Head Sports Medicine works in coordination with Vail Healthspan, which provides functional and lifestyle medicine services supporting hormone health, metabolic function, and long-term vitality. Cross-promotional relationships exist for comprehensive patient care.
• Shaw Cancer CentercoreOthersHoward Head Sports Medicine provides oncology and lymphedema therapy services in partnership with Shaw Cancer Center, part of the Vail Health network. Collaboration supports cancer patients dealing with fatigue and recovery through exercise physiology programs.
• Colorado Mountain MedicalcoreOthersPrimary, specialty and behavioral health care provided through partnership with Colorado Mountain Medical, part of the Vail Health network.
• Eagle Valley Behavioral HealthcoreOthersHoward Head Sports Medicine works with Eagle Valley Behavioral Health as part of the integrated Vail Health care network addressing behavioral health needs of the community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• U.S. Physical Therapy: Publicly-traded owner and operator of outpatient physical and occupational therapy clinics with a partner-ownership model. Directly comparable as a multi-site specialty PT platform with sports medicine and orthopedic rehabilitation focus.
• ATI Physical Therapy: One of the largest outpatient physical therapy operators in the U.S., providing sports medicine, orthopedic rehabilitation, and workers' compensation services across hundreds of clinics. Directly comparable as a multi-clinic specialty PT operator competing for the same patient and referral relationships.
• Athletico Physical Therapy: Multi-site outpatient orthopedic and sports physical therapy provider (acquired by The Ensign Group/Encore Rehabilitation). Comparable for its specialty sports and orthopedic rehabilitation services and multi-state clinic footprint.
• SPEAR Physical Therapy: Multi-clinic outpatient physical therapy provider in the New York metro area with orthopedic and sports rehabilitation focus. Comparable as a specialty PT operator with strong brand reputation and direct patient access in a dense urban market.
• Pivot Physical Therapy: Multi-site outpatient physical therapy and sports medicine provider across the Mid-Atlantic. Comparable for its specialty sports rehabilitation, worker care, and clinic-based delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Select Medical: Major U.S. operator of specialty hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics (NovaCare), and occupational health services. Comparable for its outpatient rehab footprint and sports medicine/orthopedic positioning, though it operates at far greater scale.
• Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS): Premier orthopedic hospital and sports medicine provider with rehabilitation services. Comparable for its elite-athlete medical provider brand, multidisciplinary sports medicine approach, and orthopedic rehabilitation service line.
• Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine: Integrated sports medicine program within a major academic health system, providing orthopedic and rehabilitation services for elite and recreational athletes. Comparable for multidisciplinary sports medicine scope and elite-team provider relationships.
• The Steadman Clinic: World-renowned orthopedic surgery and sports medicine practice in Vail, Colorado, and a direct partner of Howard Head Sports Medicine. Highly comparable given overlapping patient base, geographic adjacency, and shared elite-athlete provider relationships.

Emerging players

• Hinge Health: Digital MSK and virtual physical therapy platform addressing chronic back, joint, and post-surgical rehabilitation. Comparable as a competing channel for orthopedic rehabilitation demand and a structural threat to in-clinic PT visit volume.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/vailhealth
• Facebookfacebook.com/HowardHeadSportsMedicine
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/howard-head-sports-medicine-vailhealth
• Instagraminstagram.com/howardheadsportsmedicine

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Howard Head Sports Medicine