Dr. Tiara Dunson
Helping athletes and lifters get back to training — with a plan for the head as well as the body.
Who I help
Most people come to Tiara with one of these.
Rehab programmed like a training block.
About Tiara
Tiara treats a variety of nagging injuries that keep lifters out of the gym — and she's exceptionally good with people who are scared to load again after getting hurt.
A former NCAA Division I basketball player, she came to physical therapy from the training side, and it shows in how she works: rehab is programmed like a training block, with progressions you can see and the specificity of your sport considered. She's a certified strength and conditioning specialist, which means she writes your return to the barbell, the court or the trail — not just your discharge paperwork.
Every visit at Kauno is one-on-one with your therapist. No aides, no doubling up, no being handed a sheet of exercises and left in a corner.
What a first visit looks like
- 01One-on-one from the start, beginning with what you’re trying to get back to.
- 02A movement assessment — we find what actually reproduces the symptom.
- 03Hands-on treatment plus your first loading work, done the same visit.
- 04You leave with a plan, an honest timeline, and two or three things to do.
What she offers
Physical Therapy
Hands-on treatment and progressive loading to get you out of pain and back to full capacity. We treat the cause, not just the symptom.
Book PT with Tiara →Performance Training
Strength and conditioning built around your goals, your schedule, and whatever your body is currently dealing with. For people who want to get stronger, not just get better.
Book training with Tiara →What patients say about Tiara
Tiara is the ‘back whisperer.’ She somehow knows exactly where it hurts and provides the best hands-on PT.
“Tiara helped me rebuild my leg strength, my personal grit, and even got me back to running. I could barely walk 2 miles a day I was in so much pain — I now average over 4 comfortably.”
“She strikes a rare balance between respecting pain and steadily rebuilding capacity. I highly recommend her, especially if you’re serious about returning to sport.”
Trained for the clinic and the weight room.
Credentials
Writing by Tiara
Common questions
Everything people ask before they book.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
California is a direct-access state — you can be seen without a physician referral. Some insurance plans require one for coverage, so if you’re using benefits, check your plan or ask us and we’ll look into it.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on what’s going on, but most people have a clear sense of the plan after the first visit. Tiara will give you an honest estimate up front rather than an open-ended schedule.
What should I bring or wear?
Clothes you can move in. If it’s a lower-body issue, shorts help. If you have imaging or a surgical report, bring it.
Begin here.
Not ready to book? Tell us what's going on and our team will tell you honestly whether Tiara is the right person for it.
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