Athletico is a strong supporter of rugby in the Midwest and has long been a dedicated partner of the Milwaukee Barbarians. In fact, they also sponsored the Westside Harlequins and Milwaukee RFC, the two clubs that helped form the Barbarians in 2012.
Athletico is present at all of our home games and provides preventative treatment such as support taping. They also tend to injuries that occur during matches and perform concussion screenings if the need arises.
Samantha Bielen (PT, DPT, ATC; Concussion Management) is a staff therapist at the Athletico office on Milwaukee’s east side and personally delivers physical therapy services to the Barbarians at every match.
We recently sat down with Ms. Bielen to learn more about the services offered by Athletico and the partnership with the Barbarians as this second installment in a series of partner interviews.
MB: What products and services you offer?
SB: We provide physical therapy and athletic training services to the Milwaukee area. Our patient population varies from high level athletes to weekend warriors to those with functional mobility deficits with general activities of daily living. Specifically at our Milwaukee Eastside location, patients benefit from use of the Graston technique as well as concussion management services, along with regular use of manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, and sport specific activities.
Along with formal therapy, complimentary injury screens are available, during which one is evaluated by a licensed physical therapist and given advice regarding an injury, specific exercises to perform to help their condition, and help deciding whether formal physical therapy is necessary.
MB: Why do you sponsor athletics?
SB: Our sponsorship and coverage of athletic teams and events are great ways to build relationships within the local community while ensuring the safety and health of the athletes involved. Personally having grown up playing sports, I love the game day atmosphere and working with competitive, motivated individuals, so our involvement with athletics is one of the things I enjoy most about my work.
MB: What appealed to you about sponsoring rugby and the Milwaukee Barbarians?
SB: There is a large rugby community in the Milwaukee area, so getting involved with one of the top tier organizations presented us with a great opportunity to network and provide event coverage. As rugby is a very physical game, minor bumps and bruies are common. Game coverage and further follow up in the clinic can benefit the athletes to preparing them for play and getting them back in the game as soon as possible.
MB: What other sports programs and/or community programs are you associated with?
SB: Locally, we are involved with Cardinal Stritch University athletics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Club Sports, Milwaukee Aces, NY2LA AU basketball tournaments as well as other local community events (area 5ks, fundraisers, etc).
MB: What’s the most interesting aspect of serving the greater Milwaukee area and southeastern Wisconsin?
SB: Milwaukee has a lot to offer as a city in general. It is a very active city, and you can always find something to do, from sporting events, cultural activities, music festivals, and everything in between. All of the various happenings draw a diverse crowd to the region which gives us the opportunity to meet and work with a variety of people compared to other regions of the state.
MB: Where are you located, and what’s the best way for people to contact your business?
SB: We are located at 2516 N. Downer Avenue on Milwaukee’s Eastside. The best way to contact us is by calling the clinic directly at (414) 962-4400.
