Comparison of the effect of medical assistants versus certified athletic trainers on patient volumes and revenue generation in a sports medicine practice.

Background: Research has shown increases in efficiency and productivity by using physician extenders (PEs) in medical practices. Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) that work as PEs in primary care sports medicine and orthopaedic practices improve clinic efficiency.

Hypothesis: When compared with a medical assistant (MA), the use of an ATC as a PE in a primary care sports medicine practice will result in an increase in patient volume, charges, and collections.

Transversus abdominis activation during a side-bridge exercise progression is similar in people with recurrent low back pain and healthy controls.

Low back pain (LBP) affects 70-80% of the population. The transversus abdominis (TrA) has been implicated as part of the cause of LBP. Prevention and rehabilitation of LBP often target the TrA using exercises such as the side bridge accompanied with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM).