Frequently Asked Questions

We are located at our custom-built home for hypermobility in Eight Mile Plains.

Our contact details are as follows: 

Freeway Office Park 2, Building 9, Level 1, 2728 Logan Rd, Eight Mile Plains. QLD 4113 Phone: (07) 3123 4826.   Fax: (07) 3532 8704

It is best to search for “Not Just Bendy” in your maps app.

Directions can be found here: https://notjustbendy.com/directions/

Yes! To be contacted when an appointment is available, please complete our New Booking Enquiry Form. Please note if you request a specific therapist wait times may vary.

Our wonderful Exercise Physiologist, Avery typically has earlier availability than our physiotherapists, if you would like to get started sooner!

Please note that our principal, Sharon Hennessey, is currently not accepting new clients. However, she closely collaborates with her team to ensure consistent care from all therapists at our clinic.

If you are a new client to the clinic please complete a new patient booking enquiry form. If you are an existing client who has seen one of our therapist’s in the past 12 months, you can book online through Hot Doc (click here), or contact us by phone or email.

All enquiries are triaged based on multiple factors, including time on the enquiry list, risk of rapid deterioration, available supports, and referrer details. If you are often available for last-minute appointments, please indicate this in your enquiry.

Once we receive your entry on the New Booking Enquiry Form, our team will send you an email with additional information. To ensure smooth communication, please double-check that your provided mobile number and email address are correct. We also recommend saving our contact details and regularly checking your spam folder.

When you reach the top of the enquiry list, our team will contact you to let you know that an appointment is available within the next six weeks. It is then your responsibility to contact the clinic via phone or email to confirm a booking. We will make two attempts to reach you via email and SMS. If we do not receive a response within 48 hours, your place on the list may be forfeited. If you are not available for an appointment in the next six weeks, we kindly request that you contact the clinic when you are ready, as we cannot place holds on our enquiry list.

If it has been 12 months or more since your last appointment, you will be considered a new client and will need to complete the New Client Booking Form. Please select “Past client of Not Just Bendy” and include details about your current situation. This helps us allocate appointments fairly and manage our therapists’ busy schedules.

Please note that we cannot guarantee an appointment with Sharon or your previous therapist, even if you have seen them before.

At Not Just Bendy, prior to your first booking, we will send you an online questionnaire where we ask you a variety of questions about your goals and conditions.  This will take you 10-20 minutes to complete and gives us a lot of important information to consider. 

Initial Assessment (75 minutes total)

• Pre-Appointment Review (5 minutes) : Before we meet, we dedicate time to thoroughly review your online assessment form. This helps us gain a comprehensive understanding of your situation and prepare for our session.
• In-Person Assessment (60 minutes):
  • Detailed questioning about your goals and main problems, focusing on joint and muscle issues.
  • A review of your body’s systems to understand how they may relate to hypermobility.
  • General advice on managing hypermobility and, time permitting, starting a physical assessment. The extent of physical assessment during this initial meeting varies based on individual complexity.
• Post-Session Documentation (10 minutes): After our meeting, we allocate time to comprehensively document your session and plan the next steps in your treatment.  This time will likely include a letter to your referring practitioner (this may be completed after the second session if more information is required).

Second Appointment (60 minutes total)

• Session with Physiotherapist (50 minutes): This follow-up session is crucial for:
  • Completing your full assessment including the most impactful joint/muscle issues
  • Providing in-depth education about your condition.
  • Trialing products/braces/taping that may be of assistance
  • Initiating your treatment including hands on and/or exercise/rehabilitation program.
  • Treatment plan and recommendation for ongoing appointments.
• Post-Session Documentation (10 minutes): After our meeting, we allocate time to comprehensively document your session and plan the next steps in your treatment.

Ongoing Appointments

• The frequency and length of subsequent appointments (30-60 minutes) are personalised based on factors like your progress, travel requirements, financial considerations, and the level of support you need.

We are committed to a patient-centered approach and encourage open communication throughout your treatment journey. If you have any questions or require further details, please feel free to contact us.

Please be aware if Sharon Hennessey takes you on as a new patient the initial appointment session with be 90 minutes

At Not Just Bendy, prior to your first booking, we will send you an online questionnaire where we ask you a variety of questions about your goals and conditions.  This will take you 10-20 minutes to complete and gives us a lot of important information to consider.

Initial Assessment (75 minutes total)

• Pre-Appointment Review (5 minutes): Before we meet, we dedicate time to thoroughly review your online assessment form. This helps us gain a comprehensive understanding of your situation and prepare for our session.
• In-Person Assessment (60 minutes):
  • Detailed questioning about your goals and main concerns, focusing on joint, muscle, and movement-related issues.
  • A review of your body’s systems to understand how they may relate to hypermobility.
  • General advice on managing hypermobility and, time permitting, starting a physical assessment. The extent of physical assessment during this initial meeting varies based on individual complexity.
• Post-Session Documentation (10 minutes): After our meeting, we allocate time to comprehensively document your session and plan the next steps in your treatment. This time will likely include a letter to your referring practitioner (this may be completed after the second session if more information is required).

Second Appointment (60 minutes total)

• Session with Exercise physiologist (50 minutes): This follow-up session is crucial for:
  • Completing your full assessment
  • Initiating your treatment including exercise/rehabilitation program.
  • Treatment plan and recommendation for ongoing appointments.
• Post-Session Documentation (10 minutes): After our meeting, we allocate time to comprehensively document your session and plan the next steps in your treatment.
• The frequency and length of subsequent appointments (30-60 minutes) are personalised based on factors like your progress, travel requirements, financial considerations, and the level of support you need.

Accredited Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists are both allied health professionals, but they have different primary focuses.

Exercise Physiologists (EPs) focus on using active therapy, such as exercise, to prevent, manage, and treat complex health conditions. They do not typically provide manual therapies like massage, dry needling, or mobilisations, which are treatments provided by Physiotherapists. EPs often work alongside Physiotherapists to provide multidisciplinary, comprehensive care.

EPs are experts in exercise rehabilitation and, although they do not perform manual therapy for pain management, they can help you develop strategies to manage pain. These strategies are focused on empowering you to complete them independently at home, using approaches such as mobility exercises, breath-work, and recommending equipment to assist you.

In addition to one-on-one sessions, our EP also conducts assessments and develops programs for small group classes, running multiple classes designed to support exercise rehabilitation in a group setting. These classes are tailored to meet the individual needs of each participant while promoting a supportive, structured environment. For more information on classes, continue reading our FAQ.

If your primary goal is to develop a short- or long-term plan to manage hypermobility (and/or any comorbid conditions) independently through exercise and education, exercise physiology may be the right fit for you. Our EP works with clients of all abilities, from those who are bed-bound to elite athletes, and can tailor a management plan specific to your needs and goals.

Our EP may also have sooner availability for new clients compared to our Physiotherapists. If you are a new client to the clinic, simply complete an enquiry form and be sure to select exercise physiology as the service you require.

Many of our therapists are trained and experienced in Pilates and offer individual sessions. Your home program can also incorporate elements of Pilates.

At NJB, we offer supervised small group exercise classes called Bendy and Strong Classes (maximum of 4 participants), which include Pilates components, run by one of our therapists. These sessions are 50 minutes long. Once you have a basic understanding of the exercises, you can transition into a Bendy and Strong Class.

Before starting a class, you will require a minimum of 1 one-on-one assessment with the therapist leading the class (unless your treating therapist is instructing the class). If you don’t have recent Pilates or similar exercise experience, you will likely need two sessions before joining a class. This ensures your safety, allows us to tailor exercises to your needs, and helps you get the most out of the classes.

Sign me up! How do I join a Bendy and Strong Class?

If you’re interested in participating in a Bendy and Strong exercise class, feel free to discuss this at your next appointment with your therapist or contact our reception team. Our reception team is best equipped to provide you with class time options. If there isn’t a suitable time, we are always gauging interest to introduce additional classes. For cost information, please review our Prices page. Reminder to also check with your private health insurer whether your Extra’s policy offers a rebate for group exercise classes instructed by a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.

What is your class cancellation policy and what happens if I am the only attendee?

For information on our cancellation policy, please review our Cancellation & No-Show Policy page.

Please note that if you’re the only participant in a scheduled class, you’ll receive a personalised one-on-one exercise session at no extra cost. These tailored sessions will last 30 minutes, providing focused support and expert guidance. While this may not allow you to complete your full program, it’s an excellent opportunity to work closely with your therapist on challenging exercises or progressions. Alternatively, we can offer you a place in another class scheduled that week if you’d prefer.

How do I reach my goals and make progressions in a class environment?

To keep your exercises aligned with your goals, we recommend a 30-minute one-on-one program review every 2–3 months to refresh and adjust your program as needed.

For more information on the group exercise classes we offer, click here.

Due to limited availability, our therapists can only accommodate a small number of home visits each week, and we are currently at full capacity for this service. At this time, the estimated wait for home visits is over two years, as most of our existing home visit clients receive ongoing support.

Home visits also incur a travel fee, which is billed at the treating therapist’s hourly rate.

However, we are happy to keep you on our waitlist and will notify you if availability opens up sooner. In the meantime, if you are able to visit our clinic or schedule a telehealth appointment, we encourage you to do so while remaining on our waitlist for home visits.

If you require more immediate home visit services, we recommend searching for domiciliary physiotherapy providers in your area.

Yes, we can see NDIS participants who are self-managed or plan-managed. Unfortunately, as we are not a registered NDIS provider, we are unable to accept NDIA-managed clients.

For plan-managed clients, a service agreement is required and will be sent to you for completion before your first appointment.

In line with the updated NDIS legislation, all NDIS-funded services (including therapy and products) must be directly related to the disability listed in your NDIS plan. Your therapist will confirm with you which disability/disabilities are funded under your plan. If you’re unsure, it is your responsibility to obtain this information from the NDIS.

Please note that any outstanding invoices not covered by NDIS will be the client’s responsibility. If you plan to use NDIS funding, we recommend checking with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to confirm whether your plan includes funding for physiotherapy and/or exercise physiology before booking.

Additionally, from 30 June 2025, the therapy support line item from Core funding will be removed, meaning therapeutic supports will only be funded through Capacity Building.

Yes, our clinicians work with children aged 10 and over to support them with hypermobility-related challenges. However, as we are not primarily a paediatric clinic, we may refer your child to a specialised paediatric clinic if we feel it would better suit their needs.

At Not Just Bendy, our therapists can thoroughly assess your symptoms and determine if they align with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or the criteria for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (h-EDS). A formal diagnosis of h-EDS is typically only required for severe presentations or for government supports such as NDIS or DSP applications.  However, as therapists we are not able to formally diagnose h-EDS or HSD as this is outside our scope and requires a medical doctor to confirm out assessment. 

We will screen for any red flags (symptoms suggestive of serious pathology) and advise if further medical assessment is necessary. However, for approximately 95% of clients, our provisional diagnosis is sufficient for effective management, as medical treatment options for h-EDS and HSD are largely the same. The distinction between the two is often not necessary for rehabilitation and care planning.

If you’d like to get started, you can book an appointment or complete our New Patient Booking Enquiry. 

Do I need further testing?

If further medical investigation is required, your GP may order blood tests or refer you to a specialist (most commonly, Rheumatology). However, we generally only recommend seeking a formal diagnosis from a rheumatologist if it is needed for government funding (e.g., NDIS/DSP), or to improve communication between multiple medical professionals involved in your care.

Do I need genetic testing?

Genetic testing is not required for diagnosing h-EDS, as no specific genetic marker has been identified. International experts only recommend genetic testing when there is clear evidence of a different hereditary condition that requires elimination.

We only provide referrals to other medical or allied health professionals during scheduled appointments with our current clients. This helps us maintain professional boundaries and uphold the privacy of our multidisciplinary team members. 

If you are already a client with us, we recommend jotting down any questions before your next session to make the most of your time with your therapist. And of course, if you’d like help reviewing availability or making a booking, we’re here to assist. 

If you’re contacting our reception team just about this enquiry, please note that our reception staff do not have access to clinical notes or individual care plans. Hence, they are unable to provide specific recommendations for other health professionals. However, your treating clinician is the best person to discuss this with, as they can offer tailored suggestions based on your individual needs and clinical presentation. 

We do want to offer a few general resources that may help you get started: 

• The Ehlers-Danlos Society Healthcare Professional Directory 
  • A useful online resource to search for health professionals with a special interest or experience in hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: 
    Healthcare Professional Directory Archive – The Ehlers-Danlos Society
• Australian POTS Foundation Clinician Directory
  • Find healthcare professionals in Australia experienced in managing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): Clinician Directory

• Community Support Groups
  • Many people find it helpful to ask others with lived experience. These Facebook groups may be useful: EDS Zebras Australia – Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Support 

• Your GP 
  • Booking an appointment with your GP is another excellent option, as they can provide referrals tailored to your specific medical needs. 

• Book in with our physiotherapy team 
  • If you are not yet a client, we invite you to become one via the New Patient Booking Enquiry. After a thorough review, our clinicians can offer advice on helpful next steps and other providers who may support your care. 

Prices/Fees for treatment at Not Just Bendy are listed on our prices page

Telehealth consultations are priced the same as our in-room sessions of equivalent duration. This is because our therapists allocate the same time in their schedule for telehealth sessions as they do for in-room sessions.

Prices/Fees for treatment at Not Just Bendy are listed on our prices page

No, you do not need a referral from a doctor to see a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist.

However, if your doctor provides you with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP), you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate on up to five allied health consultations per calendar year, which can be used for Physiotherapy or Exercise Physiology. Please discuss this with your doctor and inform our staff when booking if you have a GPCCMP which includes Physiotherapy and/or Exercise Physiology.

As we are not a bulk-billing clinic, you will need to pay the full consultation fee at the time of your appointment. You can then claim your Medicare rebate. If you bring your Medicare card and a physical debit card to your appointment, we can process your rebate on the spot.

Please see our Prices Page for the current Medicare rebate amount.

Yes, all our services and classes at NJB are eligible for private health rebates.

For in-clinic appointments, we can process your rebate directly with your health insurer, so you only need to pay the gap between your rebate and our standard fees. As rebate amounts vary between insurers, we recommend contacting your provider directly to confirm your coverage.

You may be able to use your NDIS funding to access our services, depending on the details of your individual plan. If you’re unsure, we recommend checking with your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to confirm whether our services are covered. 

To be eligible, the services must meet the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria—meaning they need to directly relate to your NDIS-funded disability and align with the goals and funding categories outlined in your plan. Please note that assessments unrelated to your funded disability are typically not covered. 

• To access physiotherapy, you’ll need funding in your Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living budget. 

• To access exercise physiology, you’ll need funding in either Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living or Health and Wellbeing (if applicable in your plan). 

For more guidance, you can also refer to the NDIS website or speak directly with your LAC or Support Coordinator, as our team cannot confirm this information. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility and are ready to book, please complete our New Patient Booking Enquiry, and our team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps. 

Completing reports for NDIS or DSP applications is complex and time-consuming. As our primary focus is on providing practical-based therapy, we are unfortunately unable to assist with functional capacity assessments or extensive reports.

However, for existing established clients (as determined by each treating therapist), we can provide short supporting letters to assist with NDIS or DSP applications. Please note that these letters alone are not sufficient for NDIS access, and comprehensive reports from an external Occupational Therapist are typically required.

NDIS guidelines recommend that the health professional providing supporting evidence has been treating the applicant for at least six months. To ensure high-quality reports, we require at least 12 weeks’ notice for all report or letter requests. All reports are billed at the treating therapist’s hourly rate.

As a small business, we are unable to offer discounts at this time. However, our pricing structure is tiered to support more affordable access to our services.

Our therapists may need to assess certain positions and movements with the relevant body area visible. Ideally, we recommend wearing loose shorts that finish above the knee and a singlet, sports crop, or bra.

If you’re not comfortable with this, we can make modifications in most cases and have spare garments available if needed. You’re also welcome to change at the start or during your session.

For Pilates, gym sessions, and classes, typical gym attire is appropriate.

Our telehealth physiotherapy sessions are conducted via Zoom video and audio calls, allowing you to connect with your clinician from the comfort of your own home. These appointments are especially useful for providing advice, education, and exercise-based support—particularly around conservative management strategies for hypermobility specific concerns. This is often a key focus during initial consultations. 

Before your session, we’ll email you a Zoom link. All you’ll need is a stable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone (like a phone, tablet, or computer). It’s also helpful to have a bit of clear space nearby in case your clinician needs to observe your movement or guide you through exercises. 

While hands-on treatment isn’t possible via telehealth, many of our clients find these sessions extremely valuable for personalised guidance, symptom management, and progressing their home program—especially when attending in person isn’t feasible. 

In the past, we’ve faced challenges, including the resignation of several staff members due to burnout. This highlighted the need to reassess how we worked, particularly given the complexity and unique needs of our clients. Ensuring the well-being of our team is just as important as providing exceptional care.

To address these challenges, consultation times were slightly adjusted to include time for comprehensive documentation. This time was essential for ensuring treatment continuity, monitoring client progress, and meeting legal requirements set by our governing body.

The updated appointment structure is as follows:

• 30-minute consultation: 25 minutes of therapy + 5 minutes for documentation.
• 45-minute consultation: 37 minutes of therapy + 8 minutes for documentation.
• 60-minute consultation: 50 minutes of therapy + 10 minutes for documentation.

As part of a quality improvement process, we undertook efforts to improve the accuracy of clinical notes and decrease the time it took to complete letters. To support this, we now ask each client (on each session) for permission to record the session so a transcript could be created. These transcripts (not your voice recordings) are stored on a secure server for 30 days before being deleted. Rest assured, only details relevant to your session are permanently recorded in your notes. Please know there is no pressure to consent if you have any concerns about this process.

Please read our Cancellation & No Show Policy

​​Our therapists always endeavor to run on time, and your late arrival to a booked appointment will unfortunately reduce your treatment time. We are unable to add additional time at the end of the appointment to make up for any missed time at the start, as are usually fully booked. Appointment fees will not be adjusted to account for lost time due to a late arrival.

If you’re feeling unwell with a contagious illness—such as a cold, flu, gastro, or COVID-like symptoms—we kindly ask that you do not attend your appointment in person. Please let us know as soon as possible. 

Where appropriate, we’re happy to switch your appointment to a telehealth session instead. If you haven’t had a telehealth session before and would like more information, we’re more than happy to guide you through how it works. 

If you’re only feeling very mildly unwell, we ask that you wear a mask during your appointment to help protect our team and other clients. 

Please note that fees may still apply, especially for late cancellations. Changing to telehealth can be a great way to keep your care on track and avoid cancellation fees if you’re feeling up to it. 

You should call 000 immediately if you are experiencing symptoms of chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden neurological symptoms. 

If you ring up our practice, our reception staff will not be qualified to provide health advice. Unfortunately, our therapists are unable to consult outside of scheduled appointment times due to their busy caseloads.  

If you are concerned about your symptoms, we recommend speaking with a medical professional.  If your pain or symptoms feel significant, different or more severe than what is usual for you – for example, if there is a new loss of function, severe pain, joint dislocation that is not resolving as per usual or symptoms that feel alarming or out of character – we suggest you attend the emergency department or dial triple 000.  Other options for less severe issues would be to contact your GP, an urgent care clinic or call 13HEALTH for advice. 

If the problem seems to be due to something more familiar – and you’re unsure how to manage it, you’re welcome to book a telehealth appointment with one of our clinicians to talk it through. But please understand that it is your own decision to make regarding your health. Let us know if you’d like help checking the earliest availability with one of our clinicians.  

As you can imagine, our therapists care for many clients with complex needs, so they are unable to take phone calls or correspond via email outside of appointment times, except in emergencies.

If you have questions about your exercise program, a flare in symptoms, or would like an earlier appointment, please contact our reception team via phone or email. They can assist you or pass your message along to your therapist.

For general questions that arise between sessions, we recommend keeping a list (e.g., on your phone) to discuss at your next appointment.

In some cases, a short phone or telehealth consultation (up to 15 minutes) can be arranged with your therapist. These are charged at the treating therapist’s equivalent hourly rate.

Yes, the Not Just Bendy Privacy Policy is online at NotJustBendy.com/privacy/

At Not Just Bendy, we take all complaints seriously and aim to resolve them promptly. Please complete our online feedback form here. We strive to acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 48 hours (excluding weekends) and will contact you with further information after investigating, which typically takes up to one week.