About Sharon Hennessey
Founder of The Hypermobility Project
Principal Physiotherapist at Not Just Bendy Hypermobility Services
Educator, Advocate, Clinician and International Speaker
Introduction
Sharon Hennessey is a leading physiotherapist, educator, and advocate who has dedicated her career to changing how hypermobility is recognised, understood, and treated.
Known for her compassion, persistence, and evidence-based approach, she combines professional expertise with lived experience to inspire clinicians to think differently - and to do better for their patients.
Introduction
Sharon Hennessey is a leading physiotherapist, educator, and advocate who has dedicated her career to changing how hypermobility is recognised, understood, and treated.
Known for her compassion, persistence, and evidence-based approach, she combines professional expertise with lived experience to inspire clinicians to think differently - and to do better for their patients.
Professional Credentials & Experience
Sharon graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) from the University of Queensland in 1997 and has since delivered more than 15,000 physiotherapy sessions across hospital, rehabilitation, and private practice settings in Brisbane, London, and rural Australia.
She is the Founder and Principal Physiotherapist of Not Just Bendy Hypermobility Services, a clinic in Brisbane dedicated to supporting patients with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and other connective tissue disorders involving symptomatic hypermobility. Under her leadership, the clinic has grown to a team of 10 clinicians and was recognised as a CORE Network of Excellence by the Ehlers-Danlos Society in 2024.
Sharon’s clinical expertise spans across physiotherapy in areas including neuro-rehabilitation, musculoskeletal practice, women’s health, rheumatology, paediatrics, and chronic pain - experience that gives her a unique ability to see the multi-system complexity of hypermobility.
In recognition of her work, Sharon was named Physiotherapist of the Year (2024) at the Allied Health Awards.
Professional Credentials & Experience
Sharon graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) from the University of Queensland in 1997 and has since delivered more than 15,000 physiotherapy sessions across hospital, rehabilitation, and private practice settings in Brisbane, London, and rural Australia.
She is the Founder and Principal Physiotherapist of Not Just Bendy Hypermobility Services, a clinic in Brisbane dedicated to supporting patients with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and other connective tissue disorders involving symptomatic hypermobility. Under her leadership, the clinic has grown to a team of 10 clinicians and was recognised as a CORE Network of Excellence by the Ehlers-Danlos Society in 2024.
Sharon’s clinical expertise spans across physiotherapy in areas including neuro-rehabilitation, musculoskeletal practice, women’s health, rheumatology, paediatrics, and chronic pain - experience that gives her a unique ability to see the multi-system complexity of hypermobility.
In recognition of her work, Sharon was named Physiotherapist of the Year (2024) at the Allied Health Awards.
My Lived Experience
I began my career in major Brisbane hospitals, where I saw firsthand how patients without “positive test results” were often dismissed as having only psychosocial issues. One patient in particular has stayed with me all these years: she responded to my therapy, but was sent home without a diagnosis. Months later, I was called to her bedside on the night she died from her still undiagnosed condition.
That experience cemented my commitment to never overlook what I don’t yet understand. It also gave me a deep compassion for patients who are complex, uncertain, or dismissed. As someone living with hypermobility myself - and as a mother who searched for answers for her child’s unexplained symptoms - I know how harmful it feels to be overlooked. This is why I am so determined to make sure patients with hypermobility are recognised, supported, and taken seriously.
My Lived Experience
I began my career in major Brisbane hospitals, where I saw firsthand how patients without “positive test results” were often dismissed as having only psychosocial issues. One patient in particular has stayed with me all these years: she responded to my therapy, but was sent home without a diagnosis. Months later, I was called to her bedside on the night she died from her still undiagnosed condition.
That experience cemented my commitment to never overlook what I don’t yet understand. It also gave me a deep compassion for patients who are complex, uncertain, or dismissed. As someone living with hypermobility myself - and as a mother who searched for answers for her child’s unexplained symptoms - I know how harmful it feels to be overlooked. This is why I am so determined to make sure patients with hypermobility are recognised, supported, and taken seriously.
A New Model for Hypermobility Care
By 2020, my work had grown into something bigger than myself. During the pandemic, I founded Not Just Bendy Hypermobility Services. It was both a leap of faith and a necessity: a space where hypermobility was taken seriously, and where complex patients could finally be understood and supported.
Those years were intense, but the clinic grew rapidly. We built a skilled team, developed systems and training programs, and proved that hypermobility care is not only possible, but teachable, scalable, and sustainable.
Today, Not Just Bendy is an award-winning and internationally recognised clinic. We’ve treated thousands of patients and trained over 2,000 clinicians. Building NJB taught me that the knowledge and systems we’ve created are transferable. With the right support, any clinician can become a confident, effective hypermobility provider.
A New Model for Hypermobility Care
By 2020, my work had grown into something bigger than myself. During the pandemic, I founded Not Just Bendy Hypermobility Services. It was both a leap of faith and a necessity: a space where hypermobility was taken seriously, and where complex patients could finally be understood and supported.
Those years were intense, but the clinic grew rapidly. We built a skilled team, developed systems and training programs, and proved that hypermobility care is not only possible, but teachable, scalable, and sustainable.
Today, Not Just Bendy is an award-winning and internationally recognised clinic. We’ve treated thousands of patients and trained over 2,000 clinicians. Building NJB taught me that the knowledge and systems we’ve created are transferable. With the right support, any clinician can become a confident, effective hypermobility provider.
The Hypermobility Project – From Patient Care to Global Change
Even with NJB’s success, I knew more needed to be done. A single clinic could never meet the scale of the problem.
That’s why I founded The Hypermobility Project.
This work goes beyond education - it’s about changing the story:
Moving hypermobility beyond its narrow boxes in rheumatology and genetics, into the awareness of every GP, neurologist, gastroenterologist, physiotherapist, and other healthcare specialists.
Advancing care and empowering clinicians to better support their clients
Ending medical gaslighting and teaching clinicians that uncertainty is not an excuse for dismissal
Reducing diagnostic delays from 12–20 years down to 3
Standing up for equity in healthcare, especially for women who have too often been told their symptoms are “just anxiety.”
The Hypermobility Project is my way of taking what I learned in clinical settings and scaling it to transform healthcare systems worldwide.
The Hypermobility Project – From Patient Care to Global Change
Even with NJB’s success, I knew more needed to be done. A single clinic could never meet the scale of the problem.
That’s why I founded The Hypermobility Project.
This work goes beyond education - it’s about changing the story:
Moving hypermobility beyond its narrow boxes in rheumatology and genetics, into the awareness of every GP, neurologist, gastroenterologist, physiotherapist, and other healthcare specialists.
Advancing care and empowering clinicians to better support their clients
Ending medical gaslighting and teaching clinicians that uncertainty is not an excuse for dismissal
Reducing diagnostic delays from 12–20 years down to 3
Standing up for equity in healthcare, especially for women who have too often been told their symptoms are “just anxiety.”
The Hypermobility Project is my way of taking what I learned in clinical settings and scaling it to transform healthcare systems worldwide.
Philosophy & Vision - Persistence, Adaptation & the Power of Small Steps
My philosophy is simple: have a plan, then know when to throw it away. Hypermobility doesn’t fit neatly into protocols. If one approach doesn’t work, you don’t give up. You adapt. You persist. You stay involved.
Some days, the problems feel overwhelming. The system is slow to change. But I live by the “kick the can down the road” philosophy: you don’t have to solve everything today - you just need to keep moving it forward. Over time, those small pushes add up to seismic change.
That is what The Hypermobility Project is about: small, consistent steps that shift how hypermobility is recognised, understood, and treated. It’s about reducing diagnostic delays, ending medical gaslighting, and equipping clinicians with the confidence to care for patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Philosophy & Vision - Persistence, Adaptation & the Power of Small Steps
My philosophy is simple: have a plan, then know when to throw it away. Hypermobility doesn’t fit neatly into protocols. If one approach doesn’t work, you don’t give up. You adapt. You persist. You stay involved.
Some days, the problems feel overwhelming. The system is slow to change. But I live by the “kick the can down the road” philosophy: you don’t have to solve everything today - you just need to keep moving it forward. Over time, those small pushes add up to seismic change.
That is what The Hypermobility Project is about: small, consistent steps that shift how hypermobility is recognised, understood, and treated. It’s about reducing diagnostic delays, ending medical gaslighting, and equipping clinicians with the confidence to care for patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Educator & Advocate
Sharon is a sought-after speaker and trainer, having presented at national and international conferences including:
Ehlers-Danlos Society Global Learning Conference (2025)
Australian Physiotherapy Association (2020, 2021, 2023)
Australian Rheumatology Association (2023)
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Conference (2023)
Australian POTS Conference (2024)
EDS ECHO Allied Health Group
She has trained thousands of clinicians worldwide, offering practical frameworks and strategies that translate directly into better patient outcomes.
Sharon also contributes to research, including co-authoring an international expert consensus paper on upper cervical instability in hypermobility (Frontiers in Medicine, 2023).
Educator & Advocate
Sharon is a sought-after speaker and trainer, having presented at national and international conferences including:
Ehlers-Danlos Society Global Learning Conference (2025)
Australian Physiotherapy Association (2020, 2021, 2023)
Australian Rheumatology Association (2023)
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Conference (2023)
Australian POTS Conference (2024)
EDS ECHO Allied Health Group
She has trained thousands of clinicians worldwide, offering practical frameworks and strategies that translate directly into better patient outcomes.
Sharon also contributes to research, including co-authoring an international expert consensus paper on upper cervical instability in hypermobility (Frontiers in Medicine, 2023).
Committees & Professional Affiliations
Member, International Committee developing a pathway for the diagnosis and management of upper neck instability (CCI)
Member, Australian Physiotherapy Association
Member, Australian Hypermobility Advocacy Group
Ehlers Danlos Society CORE Network of Excellence Member
Committees & Professional Affiliations
Member, International Committee developing a pathway for the diagnosis and management of upper neck instability (CCI)
Member, Australian Physiotherapy Association
Member, Australian Hypermobility Advocacy Group
Ehlers Danlos Society CORE Network of Excellence Member
More Than a Clinician
Beyond my professional work, I am a mother, a lifelong learner, and an advocate for self-compassion in the face of complex health challenges. I know the courage it takes to keep showing up - as a clinician, as a patient, and as a person.
More Than a Clinician
Beyond my professional work, I am a mother, a lifelong learner, and an advocate for self-compassion in the face of complex health challenges. I know the courage it takes to keep showing up - as a clinician, as a patient, and as a person.
A Call to Action
This is my story. This is my life’s work. And I’d love for you to be part of it.
Join The Hypermobility Project to become part of a movement that is rewriting the story of hypermobility care.
Together, we can end dismissal, reduce diagnostic delays, and transform patient outcomes.
Advancing care.
Empowering clinicians.
Disclaimer: The resources on this site are designed for education and general guidance. They are not a replacement for personalised medical advice. If you are seeking care, please consult a qualified medical professional for advice tailored to your situation.
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