Dr. Dunja Zelihic, DPT

Dr. Dunja Zelihic, DPT is a Physical Therapist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she partners with patients in Saint Augustine, FL, to create personalized plans for long-term health. General physical therapists are your primary partners in preventive care, collaborating to create long-term health plans, coordinating screenings, and restoring movement and function, guiding you through injury rehabilitation and empowering you to maintain optimal wellness for life. She serves all ages. Please call (904) 810-2101 to confirm if Dr. Dunja DPT is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Dunja Zelihic, DPT is a physical therapist in Saint Augustine, FL, committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine. Her approach prioritizes creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She understands that proactive care is key to preventing future issues and is passionate about guiding her patients through the process of injury rehabilitation and wellness maintenance. Dr. Dunja DPT provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Dunja DPT is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Dunja DPT can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Dunja DPT provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Arthritis of the Elbow: Protecting your elbows from arthritis starts with understanding your risk factors and taking steps to maintain joint health, potentially preventing painful inflammation and stiffness.
• Knee Sprain: Protecting your knees through regular physical activity, appropriate footwear, and proper stretching minimizes the risk of sprains and contributes to long-term joint health.
• Lumbar Compression Fracture: Protecting your bone health is crucial in preventing lumbar compression fractures; early detection through regular bone density scans can significantly reduce the risk of debilitating complications.
• Chondromalacia: Chondromalacia, or cartilage softening in your knee, can be managed with preventative exercises to avoid further damage and potential joint replacement.
• Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia: Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) is a genetic condition causing progressive leg weakness and stiffness, making early diagnosis and proactive physical therapy crucial for slowing its progression and maintaining mobility.
• Back Injuries: Understanding your back injury risk factors – like lifting techniques and ergonomics – empowers you to take preventative steps.
• Infective Arthritis: Managing underlying health conditions and practicing good hygiene can significantly reduce your risk of developing infective arthritis, helping maintain joint health.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Dunja DPT offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• MLS Laser Therapy: MLS laser therapy uses light energy to reduce inflammation and pain, helping you recover faster from injuries and stay active.
• Cardiac Rehabilitation: Take a proactive step towards a healthier heart with cardiac rehabilitation; it helps you safely increase your activity levels and reduce your risk of future heart issues.
• Independent Educational Evaluation: An independent educational evaluation provides an objective assessment of your child's learning abilities to identify any learning disabilities that might impact their physical development and participation in physical activities.
• Physical Rehabilitation: Take control of your recovery journey and prevent long-term disability by seeking physical rehabilitation services.
• Cupping Therapy: As part of your wellness journey, cupping therapy can help improve range of motion and reduce stiffness, promoting overall physical function and preventing limitations.
• Dry Needling: Dry needling can help you prevent chronic pain by identifying and treating muscle knots and trigger points, improving your overall physical function.
• Sports Rehabilitation: Prevent long-term damage and enhance athletic abilities through early intervention and targeted treatment with sports rehabilitation.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Physical Therapies in Florida.

Dr. Dunja DPT is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By understanding their elbow joint health risks and following a personalized exercise program, a patient significantly reduced their chances of developing arthritis, ensuring a pain-free future.
• By incorporating regular stretching and strengthening exercises into their routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a knee sprain, enjoying greater mobility and confidence in their daily activities.
• By proactively scheduling regular bone density screenings, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing a lumbar compression fracture, gaining peace of mind about their bone health.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Physical Therapy care with Dr. Dunja DPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT), like Dr. Dunja DPT, is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement. They help improve your quality of life through hands-on care, education, and prescribed exercises to prevent injuries, manage pain, and restore function after an illness or surgery.

What should I expect during my first physical therapy evaluation?

Your first visit with Dr. Dunja DPT will be a comprehensive evaluation. We will discuss your medical history and goals, then perform a physical evaluation of your posture, movement, strength, and flexibility. This assessment is the starting point for creating a completely personalized prevention and recovery plan.

Can physical therapy help me avoid surgery?

Yes, in many cases. Physical therapy, like with chronic back pain, rotator cuff tears, or knee osteoarthritis, can be just as effective as surgery in reducing pain and improving function. It's a powerful, non-invasive first step that often prevents the need for more invasive procedures.

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is a hands-on approach used by physical therapists like Dr. Dunja DPT. It includes techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization to reduce pain, improve movement, and prepare the body for exercise.

I feel dizzy and off-balance. Can a physical therapist help?

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Dunja, DPT, can help. Many physical therapists are specially trained in vestibular rehabilitation and can treat common causes of dizziness, such as BPPV, with specific head maneuvers. They can also improve balance through targeted exercises, preventing falls.

How does physical therapy help with chronic back pain?

Dr. Dunja DPT's physical therapy for chronic back pain focuses on identifying the root cause and preventing future episodes. A personalized program including core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and posture education will be created to empower you to manage your pain and maintain a healthy back.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Dunja DPT's home exercise program is a personalized set of exercises designed to help you continue your progress between sessions and prevent the problem from returning after therapy is complete. It's a crucial part of your recovery and empowers you to take an active role in your healing.

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is a skilled technique where a physical therapist inserts a thin needle into a muscle "trigger point" to release tension and relieve pain. It's based on Western anatomy and physiology, different from acupuncture, and can be a helpful tool to accelerate your recovery.

1690 US Highway 1 S Ste A
Saint Augustine FL 32084
Phone: (904) 810-2101

Dr. Dunja Zelihic, DPT is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1407373665

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Physical Therapies like Dr. Dunja DPT are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your physical therapy about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.