JBOT - Jo Southall

15/10/2025

Still time to sign up for tomorrow's webinar!

🧠💬 Still time to register for *tomorrow's* 'Ask the OT: Hypermobility & Joint Wellness' session, our bendy-friendly Occupational Therapist JBOT - Jo Southall will be joined by Reema Chadha, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist and Bollywood dancer, who has JHS and blends clinical expertise with her personal insight and a passion for movement.
Join us at 7pm (GMT) for a special live session covering planning, pacing, joint protection, mobility aids, and long-term joint wellness.
📍 Patients only. Live via Zoom (no app needed). Replay available later.
🔗 Register now: hypermobility.org/events (Free, public event)
❓Advance questions welcome, comment or message us here, or e-mail info@hypermobility.org including 'ASK' in the subject line and our LinkFairy will collate them before the show. 🙂

14/10/2025

Managing chronic symptoms is almost always complicated. I know a lot of us feel like we 'should have got the hang of it' after years of practice but it's not always that easy.

Particularly when seasonal changes impact our symptoms. As we slide into Autumn, I like to review my recent coping strategy use and remind myself about things I might need for the coming colder months.

A flare-up plan is a document that covers our most common or most unpleasant symptoms and how we're supposed to manage them. It can be helpful in a number of different ways:

1. Beating brain fog. If it's literally written down and stuck to the fridge, we'll probably remember what to do when we need that info most.

2. Ensuring consistent care and support. If you've got multiple people involved in keeping you alive and vaguely functional, having them all working from the same plan is definitely a good thing.

3. Validation. If a qualified healthcare professional recognises that your symptoms are real, unpleasant and hard to manage.. maybe it helps us be kinder to ourselves when we feel absolutely rubbish.

4. Knowing when to seek help. Lots of us are worried about being revolving door patients, we try so hard *not* to bother the GP.. we go too far the other way and end up trying to self manage something impossible. Then end up at A&E after apologising to a crew of slightly concerned paramedics.

When I work on flare-up plans, it's about providing a starting point. A structure and plan that works now, but that can evolve over time to meet the changing needs of a complex patient.

If that sounds like something you're interested in, please take a look online or drop me a message to discuss. All done via Teams and email. Appointments available worldwide.

email: hello@jboccupationaltherapy.co.uk
Mobile/WhatsApp: (+44) 07507894759.

With every chronic condition Flare-up's are going to happen eventually. A flare up plan helps make sure you get the support you need and helps you manage...

10/10/2025

Seasonal changes can cause havoc for chronically ill folks. We often don't adapt well to changes in air pressure, temperature and daylight hours. It can be helpful to review your approaches to self management a few times a year to ensure that everything is still working optimally.

I like to do this in spring an autumn. Like swapping out your summer and winter wardrobe, I swap out my summer and winter coping strategies. I've spent a lot of time focussed on staying cool and keeping my heart rate low this summer. Now the focus shifts to avoiding chilblains, coping with aches and pains and finding ways to get fresh air and exercise in poor weather.

If you're struggling with how best to manage your symptoms, it might be a good time to log on with your friendly neighbourhood Occupational Therapist.

All good self-management starts with sensible and effective energy use. If you've not done one before, might I suggest a Pacing Masterclass?

Please feel free to share. I have a remarkably short waiting list at the moment! Drop an email to hello@jboccupationaltherapy.co.uk or WhatsApp +447507894759. Appointments are available worldwide via Teams.

Pacing is an important management strategy for a wide range of long-term conditions. In this pacing masterclass you'll learn the theory, tips, hints & more

08/10/2025

Little collaboration with the fabulous Jeannie Di Bon! If you're struggling with kitchen tasks, take a look at some of my top advice!

15/09/2025

It's the third week of September and with the wind howling outside, we're starting to feel autumnal. Fluffy socks and cosy blankets call, and this Thursday we'll be going live with 'Ask the OT' with Jo Southall at 7pm. It's a free show (you can register on our events page), and will be recorded, so if you've a question you'd like to ask our friendly Occupational Therapist, just let us know, message if you're shy! We can't promise to answer them all, but we'll do our best!

22/08/2025

The latest in a long line of actions that deliberately erase diversity, inclusion and personal choice in the USA. Yet for every attempt the politicians make at squashing human decency, there are people fighting back. I fully applaud anyone who sets out to ruin the day of an ICE agent. I want to make it perfectly clear to anyone from the USA who chooses to work with me as their OT. I support, respect and celebrate your identity. I respect your choices and your right to choose.

Holy F***… they paved over the PULSE MEMORIAL rainbow crosswalk 🏳️‍🌈💔

18/08/2025

14/08/2025

Hi, I’m Emilia, a BSc Occupational Therapy student currently on placement with JB Occupational Therapy. I also have many years of lived experience of being chronically ill. I wanted to write a blog post about self-advocacy, as I have consistently found within my own experiences and on this placement the importance of being able to advocate for yourself, particularly within healthcare....

Hi, I’m Emilia, a BSc Occupational Therapy student currently on placement with JB Occupational Therapy. I also have many years of lived experience of being chronically ill. I wanted to write a blog post about self-advocacy, as I have consistently found within my own experiences and on this placeme...

08/08/2025

This video looks at positive risk taking in occupational therapy. It explores how we think about it in practice and why it plays such a key role in supporting people to live independently and meaningfully. If you haven't come across this before, please take a look at this blog post first. I made this during my placement as part of my learning, reflecting on how it links to client-centred practice and professional reasoning. Hopefully it’s helpful if you’re also thinking about how to balance safety with autonomy in clinical practice.

This video looks at positive risk taking in occupational therapy. It explores how we think about it in practice and why it plays such a key role in supporting people to live independently and meaningfully. If you haven’t come across this before, please take a look at this blog post first. I made t...

31/07/2025

We’re revising for session two of the lovely Jo Southall’s new heatwave masterclass tomorrow evening by catching up with the video of last weeks session. Why? Because although it’s not ridiculously hot here right now we’re still feeling sluggish and heavy!

You can still register for this event from our events page, and you should get a link to the video below in your confirmation email. Or, if you’re already a member you can find it in the members’ only section! :)

We’ll be in a darkened room with wet hair ;)

24/07/2025

JB Occupational Therapy Recognises Disability Pride Month What is Disability Pride? It’s not about being proud of pain, it’s about being proud of surviving, adapting, and refusing to shrink yourself in a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. “Disability is natural. It’s part of diversity. It’s part of the human condition” Judy Heumann Access Denied Too many disabled people in the UK are still being dismissed, misdiagnosed and ignored....

JB Occupational Therapy Recognises Disability Pride Month What is Disability Pride? It’s not about being proud of pain, it’s about being proud of surviving, adapting, and refusing to shrink yourself in a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. “Disability is natural. It’s part of diversi...

23/07/2025

Tegan, OT student, takes a look at positive risk taking and how it relates to participation for chronically ill people. Go and have a read!

Risk taking can be scary but it's an important part of engaging in activities. Tegan, OT student, takes a look at the OT perspective on risk.