The TMJ specialist you've been looking for!
Serving Dickson, TN and the greater Nashville area
Offering mobile sessions
Our Approach is your roadmap to success
Treating TMJ pain is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and it’s important to address key milestones along the way. Many clinics focus only on symptom reduction that does not last, leaving patients trapped in a cycle of temporary relief followed by recurring pain. At True Function Physical Therapy, our goal isn’t just to help you feel better; we aim to restore your jaw’s natural function, improve movement efficiency, and build resilience. This way, you can face every task, conversation, and daily activity with the confidence that your TMJ pain is under control and not holding you back.
1. Quick Relief
A body that feels better, moves better
You want relief from TMJ pain, but the real question is: how do you achieve lasting relief? One of the primary roles of your brain is to protect you from perceived threats, including pain, which often leads to tension and dysfunction in the jaw and surrounding muscles. In this first phase, we use a combination of hands-on techniques—including manual therapy, dry needling, and targeted exercises—to help your brain and nervous system recognize that there’s no longer a threat. This allows us to reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle tension in the jaw. The goal here is to give your body the space it needs to relax, so pain reduction becomes sustainable. And all of this without relying on medications, injections, or surgery that only address the symptoms, not the underlying causes.
2. Restoration
Train efficient and consistent movement
Now that your body is no longer in a state of constant tension, the next step is to restore natural, efficient jaw function. Many people with TMJ have learned to move their jaw in a way that’s not so natural or efficient, which can waste energy and lead to further strain. In this phase, we focus on retraining your jaw and surrounding muscles to move smoothly and effortlessly, without the need to consciously think about every movement. Instead of forcing changes, we help you retrain your body with small, consistent steps that allow for natural, efficient motion. This process helps ensure that your jaw functions the way it’s meant to—without unnecessary strain or discomfort.
3. Fortification
Foster resilience
In the first two phases, we focused on reducing symptoms and re-establishing healthy movement patterns. In this phase, our goal is to build strength, mobility, and endurance in the jaw and surrounding muscles through progressive and targeted exercises. Strength refers to the ability of your muscles to generate force and to apply that force functionally, as for actions like chewing or speaking. Mobility ensures that your jaw can move freely and handle the necessary positions for daily activities. Endurance helps you sustain activity without pain or fatigue and to control jaw movements efficiently. By addressing these components and tailoring them to your specific needs, we help you become more resilient, preventing future TMJ issues and ensuring you can function at your best in everyday activities.
4. Lifelong Wellness
Be prepared for what life may bring your way
Physical therapy is not just about feeling better during treatment... it’s about empowering you to live without the limitations of pain or other physical impairments. Many people with TMJ issues struggle because they never fully regain confidence in their jaw’s ability to move freely and without discomfort. Instead of feeling hesitant or guarded, our goal is to help you reach a point where you can approach any task or activity - whether it's speaking, eating, or simply moving through your day - with full confidence in your body’s ability to perform. The ideal outcome for us goes beyond pain reduction; it’s about helping you achieve the freedom to live your life without restriction, knowing your jaw is strong, stable, and ready for whatever challenges you face.
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About Us
True Function Physical Therapy was founded in 2025 with the goal of becoming the leading provider for TMJ dysfunction in the Dickson, TN and greater Nashville communities, guiding individuals to discover their own path to healing and well-being. We believe that true solutions come from within, and through our specialized care, we empower individuals to regain control over their lives by overcoming pain and limitations
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