Karina Jackson, Occupational Therapist / Ergothérapeute

10/31/2025

Wrapping up OT month with a full heart. 💛

This OT month has brought about so many different experiences. From recording a podcast episode for CAOT’s “Conversations that Matter” alongside Lara .ca talking all things OTs in pelvic health, to discussing how Pilates practice can better support people with issues like prolapse or pelvic pain, to speaking about pelvic health at the Black Health Fair, and presenting as a guest speaker in the McGill University classroom about pelvic health as an emerging area of practice — this month has been… a little overwhelming… but incredibly rewarding.

I’m so excited for what’s ahead and to keep unboxing new corners of our profession, surrounded by the most amazing, supportive colleagues.

07/20/2025

I honestly don’t know when I became this person. Growing up, public speaking definitely wasn’t my thing.

But something shifts when I start talking about pelvic health. I love helping people become curious detectives of their own bodies. I love creating spaces where we can exchange stories, ask questions, be scared or shy, feel all the feelings, even a little embarrassed, and still find the courage to say the thing out loud. Because more often than not, someone else in the room has felt it too.

That’s what pelvic health does. It brings us together. It opens up conversations we never thought we’d have, especially as women.

Such a pleasure working with to teach all things . 🌸💕

07/18/2025

Coffee lovers, this one’s for you… and your bladder.

Yes, this is a large caffeinated drink.🤩
And yes… caffeine can make your bladder work overtime.

Why?
→ It’s a diuretic, so you p*e more.
→ It’s a bladder irritant, so you might feel urgency even when your bladder isn’t full.

If you’re leaking, dealing with urgency, or making frequent trips to the bathroom, caffeine could be part of the picture.

What can help?
✔️Try tracking how much caffeine you’re having and when
✔️Notice if symptoms feel worse after that second (or third 😅) cup
✔️Try half-caf
✔️Keep it to one cup
✔️Drink it earlier in the day
✔️Stick with coffee over energy drinks

This isn’t about perfection or quitting cold turkey. It’s about informed choices and learning what actually works for your body.

TLDR: You can still be a coffee person and take care of your bladder. 💙🚽

Anyone else love to start their day with a brew? Drop a ☕️in the comments.

04/10/2025

April is Cesarean Birth Awareness Month! 🌸

Meet Pelvic Health OT Barbie — she’s not just fun, she’s here with evidence-based care and a whole toolkit for supporting you after a cesarean birth!

About 1 in 3 births in Canada is a cesarean — and every birthing person deserves support that goes beyond “just don't lift anything heavy for 6 weeks”.

Her specialties include:

✨ Scar care education
✨ Safe ways to lift, feed, and cuddle your babe
✨ Pro tips for getting in/out of bed
✨ Helping with bowel function (aka p**p support)
✨ S/xual health education (you’re allowed to have questions!)
✨ Mental health check-ins & space to process your birth story
✨ Connecting you with other amazing providers in your community

Remember that post cesarean mamas need pelvic health too. 💖

03/31/2025

Can occupational therapists support pelvic health without performing internal assessments ⁉️🙋🏽‍♀️

I get this question a lot and my answer is... Absolutely! 🙌🏾 In my latest blog, I dive into how OTs can make a meaningful impact in pelvic health. I talk about:

👉🏾How pelvic health is more than just Kegels
👉🏾The power of holistic, multidisciplinary care
👉🏾A real-world case example
👉🏾Why OTs are essential in pelvic health
👉🏾Collaboration with physios and other healthcare providers

💬📧

✨ [Link to blog in bio] 👆🏾

03/20/2025

🎗️March is Endometriosis Awareness Month!

As an occupational therapist in pelvic health, I help clients find ways to manage their symptoms and improve quality of life. But first—what is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition that affects 1 in 10 people with a uterus and ovaries, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. During a menstrual cycle, this endometrial-like tissue responds to hormonal changes just like the lining inside the uterus—it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds. But since it has nowhere to go, it can lead to pain, inflammation, and scar tissue formation.

✨Common symptoms of endo include:
→ Pelvic pain
→ Bloating
→ Digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea
→ Fatigue and low energy
→ Pain during or after s/x

So, what do I recommend to my clients as part of their endo essentials kit??👇🏾

- The OH nut, a reliable water-based or silicone lubricant and other devices to adapt your intimate moments 💛
- A trusty app to stay ahead of your period patterns 📅
- A heat pack for soothing cramps and promoting relaxation, but sometimes cooling things down can help too ❄️
- Compression shorts or leggings for abdominal support & pain management
- A TENS machine for nerve stimulation and pain relief ⚡
- Magnesium for muscle relaxation and digestion
- Pelvic wands for deep muscle release
- A squatty potty because knees above hips = happier bowels 🚽

What's in your endo essentials kit?? 💬⬇️

02/28/2025

‼️Latest webinar alert!‼️

Talking all things OTs ROLE IN PELVIC HEALTH in this practice evidence webinar for !

What an amazing opportunity 😃 and I’m loving the growing interest in this area. 🙌🏾

Missed it live? Catch it on demand at caot.ca! ✨

Let’s keep the convo going—drop a 💬 if you include pelvic health in your practice or if you're interested in diving in too!

02/25/2025