AthletiCo Continues Partnership with Joffrey Ballet

AthletiCo recently renewed its relationship with America’s premiere ballet company, the Joffrey Ballet, further establishing its role as the chosen provider of physical therapy and occupational therapy to the performing arts community.

As the Official Provider of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy for the Joffrey Ballet and Academy of Dance, AthletiCo provides medical support for Joffrey Ballet rehearsals and performances.  In addition, AthletiCo supports the Joffrey Academy students via educational and injury prevention lectures.  All of these services contribute to AthletiCo’s primary goal—to keep the Joffrey Ballet’s dancers and students healthy, active, and able to do what they love to do, which is dance.

AthletiCo’s Jen Janowski, physical therapist at AthletiCo’s River North facility located in the East Bank Club, is the lead physical therapist for the Joffrey Ballet and travels with the dancers on tours.  She also coordinates the care of the dancers with the assistance of AthletiCo physical therapists, Laura Daniels and Kendra Gage, and athletic trainer, Katie Lemmon.  Through her time working with the organization, Janowski understands how important it is for the dancers to stay healthy throughout a rigorous rehearsal and performance schedule.

“When working with dancers, I have to find the balance between getting them healthy and getting them back to performing as soon as possible,” says Janowski.  “If I can educate the dancer and artistic staff about the injury and give them immediate expectations, then most of the stress decreases, and I can provide the dancer a safe return to rehearsal and performance and prevent further injury.”

AthletiCo’s relationship with the Joffrey Ballet officially began in 1996 with AthletiCo’s president and founder, Mark Kaufman, personally treating many of the Joffrey Ballet’s dancers.  Throughout the past 15 years, AthletiCo’s partnership with the Joffrey Ballet has been a tremendous success, and AthletiCo looks forward to strengthening this relationship in the years to come and keeping the Joffrey Ballet dancers dancing.

AthletiCo’s Performing Arts Rehabilitation Program has a strong presence throughout the Chicagoland area and is directed by Julie O’Connell, PT, ATC, who has over 17 years of experience.  Specializing in the treatment of dancers and performing artists, O’Connell has provided a wealth of knowledge to the over 40 physical therapists, athletic trainers, and massage therapists she oversees within AthletiCo’s Performing Arts Program.  In addition, she works as the President of Performing Arts Special Interest Group (PASIG) for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and as part of a taskforce for Dancer Health within Dance USA.