Musculoskeletal Risks

Chronic low back pain has been identified as a major problem for seafood and agricultural workers, affecting worker health and productivity. Kim Dunleavy, an associate clinical professor in UF’s Department of Physical Therapy, researched clam workers in Cedar Key, Florida, to identify work-related movements and positions that aggravate or contribute to low back pain. Through this study, Dunleavy aimed to identify modifiable, sector-specific, work and movement solutions with the potential to reduce the burden or severity of chronic lower back pain in clam workers, as well as determine the extent that participants adopted identified solutions. 

Dunleavy shared the results from her SCCAHS pilot research project on the topic of chronic low back pain in the seafood industry through a webinar hosted by the center.