Physical Therapist · Metro Atlanta, Georgia
I'm a physical therapist in the Atlanta area. I work with people dealing with chronic pain, hypermobility, and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and I also treat kids. I have EDS myself, so I get it.
“I was reminded how lovely the disabled and physical therapy communities are, and how the intersection between the two is exactly where I belong.”
— Mackenzie Kennedy, Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation, 2025
Affiliated With
About
I'm a Doctor of Physical Therapy with Benchmark Physical Therapy in the greater Atlanta metro area, where I'm also an Orthopedic Resident with Upstream Rehabilitation. I've worked in the physical therapy field since 2018 across a wide range of settings, and I earned my DPT at the University of North Georgia, where I helped write new inclusivity guidelines for the PT program.
I'm also an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist®, so my treatment plans are grounded in exercise science, not just symptom relief.
I live with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, so I know what it's like to be the patient with the complicated condition that doesn't fit the textbook. That experience shapes how I listen, how I treat, and why I push for more accessible care in this profession.
Years in the physical therapy field, across diverse clinical settings
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Georgia
Orthopedic Resident, Upstream Rehabilitation
ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist®
Published author, Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation
Specialties
Hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and related conditions. These are tricky to treat, and I understand them both clinically and personally.
Persistent pain is real and it's treatable. I use evidence-based approaches that look at the whole person, not just the painful spot.
Working with kids takes patience and play. I help young patients and their families feel comfortable while making real progress.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in the clinic. I work to make care welcoming for LGBTQ+ patients and accessible for disabled patients.
My Story
I found physical therapy as a patient before I ever chose it as a career.
Navigating healthcare with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome showed me both the best and worst of what this profession can be. As a student at the University of North Georgia, I helped write new inclusivity guidelines for the PT program. In 2025 I spoke as a panelist at the Advancing Accessibility and Disability Equity Summit and co-authored a published reflection on it.
That work continues now in the clinic. I want patients with complex conditions to be believed, and I want disabled students and clinicians to know there's a place for them in this field.
Began working in the physical therapy field, gaining experience across numerous clinical settings
University of North Georgia — pioneered new guidelines and ideas for inclusivity within the PT program
Panelist at the Advancing Accessibility and Disability Equity Summit; published in the Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation
Physical therapist with Benchmark Physical Therapy and Orthopedic Resident with Upstream Rehabilitation, greater Atlanta metro
Published Work
Five DPT students with disabilities reflect on their experience as panelists at the Advancing Accessibility and Disability Equity Summit — on systemic ableism, community, and a renewed sense of hope and purpose in rehabilitation education.
Read the full article →Follow Along
PT tips, EDS awareness, and life as a new grad therapist — over at @mackenziekennedydpt.
Community
Living with EDS or chronic pain can feel isolating. You don't have to figure it out alone. The Ehlers-Danlos Society runs local and virtual support groups, and I'm always happy to help you find one that fits.
Connect
Whether you're a patient, a colleague, or a fellow advocate, I'd love to hear from you.