Rachel A. Erickson, DO

Rachel A. Erickson, DO

Orthopedic Urgent Care

Board Certified in Family Medicine, CAQ Sports Medicine

Blue Ridge Region

Waynesville
Asheville - McDowell

Dr. Rachel Erickson is a primary care sports medicine doctor and part of the EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region Sports Medicine team. With fellowships in nonoperative sports medicine, Dr. Erickson specializes in treating and managing all manner of sports injuries in our EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region’s Orthopedic Urgent Care locations. If the injury requires surgery, she facilitates referrals to our specialists to keep the continuity of care, comfort, and treatment of the patient intact.

Dr. Erickson’s experience as a sports medicine doctor is enhanced by research and a breadth of experience in providing medical care and sideline coverage for kids, athletes and active adults of all ages via coverage of high school, collegiate, community, and mass participation sporting events. She is also an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys waterfall chasing, kayaking, biking, soccer, and running.

Education and Expertise

Dr. Erickson obtained her undergraduate degree from Saint Norbert College, De Pere, WI. She is a graduate of the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Erickson then completed her residency at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Following this, she completed two fellowships: at the University of Iowa Division of Family Medicine and at the Oregon Health and Science University at the University of Oregon.

As a sports doctor, Dr. Erickson is board-certified in Family Medicine by both the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and the American Board of Family Medicine. She has received additional certification in Sports Medicine, as well.

Specialties

Dr. Erickson diagnoses and treats injuries and conditions affecting these areas of the body:

  • Neck/shoulder, including frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, and shoulder instability
  • Arm/elbow, including sprains and tennis or golf elbow
  • Hand/wrist, including carpal tunnel syndrome, mallet finger, and hand and wrist fractures
  • Hip/knee, including ligament tears and arthritis
  • Upper/lower leg, including fractures, joint dislocations, and shin splints
  • Foot/ankle, including Achilles tendon rupture and ankle sprains

Sports Medicine Treatment—Nonoperative

Education

  • Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Residency: University of Wisconsin Madison Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
  • Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship: University of Iowa, Division of Family Medicine
  • Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship: Oregon Health and Science University at the University of Oregon

Associations

  • American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM)
  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
  • American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)

Publications

Erickson, R., Lee, K., Wilson, J., “Clinical Effects of a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection for the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylosis,” CJSM, vol. 29, no. 2, 2019, p. 172

Whipple, M. T., Erickson, R. A., Donnenwerth, J. J., & Peterson, A. R. (2021). Blood flow restriction in exercise and rehabilitation. ACSM’S Health & Fitness Journal, 25(5), 6–9.

https://doi.org/10.1249/fit.0000000000000693

Book chapter publication: Erickson, R. A., & Mellen, K. (2022). Sports Nutrition. In AAOS Resident Orthopaedic Core Knowledge, Virtual Book

Research

Poster Presentation, “Perceptions of Care Based on Gender Identity in Collegiate Division One Student Athletes.” AMSSM, Virtual, April 2021

Lecturer: “Febrile Illness and Cardiac Risks” and “Case of Lateral Knee Pain”, University of Iowa Sports Medicine Symposium, Virtual, December 2020

Podium Presentation, “Clinical Effects of a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection for the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylosis.” AMSSM, Houston, TX, April 2019

Poster Presentation, “Clinical Effects of a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection for the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylosis.” 2018 UW Orthopedic Research Forum, Madison, WI, May 2019

Are you suffering from a sports injury? Get treatment right away. Schedule an appointment with sports doctor Dr. Erickson at EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region now.

They treat you with respect take the time to understand what your needs are and work toward that gold of fixing the problem. Very professional in everything they do I love going there for treatment can't say that about many healthcare systems. I recommend EmergeOrtho to everyone I see.

Ronnie W

EMERGEORTHO PATIENT

EmergeOrtho is full of wonderful doctors! They make sure they go over every little thing and explain stuff so that you understand. I have 4 different doctors here and have been pleased with them all.

Michelle M

EMERGEORTHO PATIENT

A New Level Of Orthopedic Care Has Emerged

As our patient, you will benefit from a full range of orthopedic services, specialties and technologies, including physical and hand therapy, advanced imaging services, and urgent care walk-in services providing immediate diagnosis and treatment for urgent orthopedic conditions.