Dr. Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Erica Tran is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist and pelvic health specialist dedicated to helping active adults, athletes, pickleball players, pregnant and postpartum women, and fitness enthusiasts move confidently, recover fully, and return to the activities they love. She combines evidence-based treatment, advanced manual therapy techniques, and strength-focused rehabilitation to help patients achieve lasting results and confidently return to the activities that matter most to them.

A Colorado native, Erica earned her Bachelor of Science in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder before completing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. She later became a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), a distinction held by fewer than 10% of physical therapists nationwide, demonstrating advanced expertise in evaluating and treating musculoskeletal conditions.

Erica believes every individual is an athlete with the potential to perform at their highest level. Whether someone’s goal is returning to sport, navigating pregnancy and postpartum recovery, overcoming pelvic floor dysfunction, or simply living without pain, she is passionate about empowering patients through education, movement, and strength-based rehabilitation.

Orthopedic Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation

As a former collegiate tennis player and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Erica understands the physical and mental demands of sports and active lifestyles. She specializes in helping athletes and active individuals recover from injury, improve performance, and build resilience.

She frequently treats:

• Low back pain and lumbar spine conditions
• Hip pain and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Knee pain, including patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee)
• Mechanical neck pain and cervicogenic headaches
• Shoulder pain, rotator cuff injuries, and shoulder instability
• Tendon injuries and overuse conditions
• Sports-related injuries
• Return-to-sport rehabilitation
• Weightlifting, CrossFit, pickleball, tennis, running, and endurance sport injuries

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy & Women’s Health

Erica is passionate about helping women overcome pelvic floor dysfunction and return to exercise, sport, and daily life without limitations. Her interest in pelvic health stems from both specialized clinical training and personal experience navigating urinary leakage during athletics, giving her unique insight into the challenges many women face.

She works with women throughout pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause, helping them regain confidence and return to the activities they love.

Her pelvic health specialties include:

• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Urinary incontinence and urgency
• Pregnancy-related pain
• Postpartum recovery
• Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA)
• Pelvic girdle pain
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJ)
• Pubic symphysis pain
• Low back pain during pregnancy and postpartum
• Abdominophrenic dyssynergia (APD)
• Perimenopause and menopause-related pelvic health concerns
• Return to running, CrossFit, strength training, and recreational sports after childbirth

Pickleball Injury Rehabilitation & Performance

As an avid pickleball player, Erica has developed a special interest in helping pickleball athletes stay healthy and continue enjoying the sport. She understands the unique demands of pickleball, including repetitive overhead movements, explosive acceleration and deceleration, balance demands, and rotational forces through the shoulder, spine, and lower extremities.

She commonly works with pickleball players experiencing:

• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• Rotator cuff injuries and shoulder pain
• Knee pain
• Achilles tendinopathy and calf strains
• Hip pain and mobility restrictions
• Low back pain
• Balance and mobility deficits

Her goal is not only to help athletes recover from injury but also to improve strength, mobility, power, and movement efficiency to keep them performing at their best.

Advanced Treatment Techniques

Dr. Tran utilizes a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches to help patients recover faster, reduce pain, and optimize performance, including:

• Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy
• Functional Dry Needling
• Spinal Manipulation
• Joint Mobilization and Manual Therapy
• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Strength and Conditioning Programs
• Return-to-Sport Rehabilitation
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and Rehabilitation
• Movement Analysis and Biomechanical Assessment

Her treatment philosophy combines hands-on care, progressive strength training, movement optimization, and patient education to create lasting results rather than temporary symptom relief.

Community Education & Speaking

Erica is passionate about educating her community on injury prevention, performance, and long-term health. She has presented educational seminars and workshops throughout the Boulder and Denver metro areas for local gyms, fitness communities, and wellness events.

Topics she has presented on include:

• Low back pain prevention and management
• Pelvic floor health for active women and athletes
• Shoulder pain and injury prevention
• Strength training and movement optimization
• Pickleball injury prevention and performance

Through these presentations, Erica helps individuals better understand their bodies, stay active, and make informed decisions about their health and fitness.

Certifications, Training & Professional Affiliations

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
• Certified Functional Dry Needling Practitioner
• Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy Trained
• Advanced Training in Spinal Manipulation and Manual Therapy
• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
• Women’s Strength Coach
• Member, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

In addition to her clinical practice, Erica serves as a coach for MEND’s Women’s Strength Class, where she teaches women how to safely build strength and confidence through squats, deadlifts, presses, and other foundational lifting movements.

Inclusive, Patient-Centered Care

Dr. Tran is committed to creating a welcoming environment where every patient feels heard, respected, and empowered. She provides individualized care tailored to each person’s goals, lifestyle, and unique circumstances and is dedicated to serving patients from all backgrounds.

Her mission is simple: help people move better, feel stronger, and confidently return to the activities they love.

Education

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Midwestern University – Glendale, Arizona

Bachelor of Science in Integrative Physiology
University of Colorado Boulder

Outside the Clinic

When she’s not treating patients, Erica enjoys pickleball, rock climbing, snowboarding, hiking, yoga, strength training, photography, piano, and guitar. Her active lifestyle allows her to better understand the challenges her patients face and reinforces her belief that movement is one of the most powerful tools for lifelong health and wellness.

Looking for a Lafayette Physical Therapist?

Whether you’re recovering from a sports injury, dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction, preparing for childbirth, returning to exercise postpartum, or looking to improve your athletic performance, Dr. Erica Tran provides expert, one-on-one care designed to help you achieve your goals and return to the activities you love.