Ryan Minarik, ND, LAc, is a dually licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist practicing at FoRM Health PDX in Portland, Oregon. He specializes in treating chronic pain, sports injuries, and joint conditions.
Growing up, Dr. Minarik loved science and sports, and his mother was passionate about nutrition. This combination led him to study pre-med as an undergraduate at the University of Washington in Seattle. However, during his studies, it became clear to him that conventional medicine left out many effective therapies and lifestyle practices that were just as important in treating disease and dysfunction.
Dr. Minarik decided to study both naturopathic and Chinese medicine at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, then completed a two-year residency while simultaneously founding Elixia Wellness Group in 2008 (which would later become FoRM Health).
His post-doctoral continuing education has led him to appreciate what both conventional and alternative medicine have to offer and he aims to combine the best of both of these to remain at the forefront of progressive and regenerative solutions for physical injuries. He now brings over 15 years of experience to his practice, and believes that his role is to help encourage each patient’s body to access its innate ability to heal itself. His sole practice focus is in orthopedics which allows for a unique specialty within the naturopathic and acupuncture professions.
Dr. Minarik’s goal is to offer minimally invasive therapies whenever possible and treatments often start with acupuncture, dry needling, myofascial release, and kinesiotaping. Throughout the course of care, he is frequently collaborating with other practitioners such as physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists or other orthopedic physicians. When conservative methods may not address the problem he may rely on more advanced therapeutic injections to relieve pain and stimulate healing such as prolotherapy, PRP, prolozone, ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection, and microfragmented adipose tissue grafts (MFAT). He also incorporates musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging for both diagnostics and injection guidance.
In 2022, Dr Minarik was elected to serve as a board member for the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine, a role he is proud of to help ensure the public has safe and effective access to naturopathic medicine. Dr Minarik also helped found the Naturopathic Orthopedic Medicine Academy (NOMA), an organization of physicians with a focus in orthopedics and neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. NOMA provides specialty trainings for advanced regenerative and injection therapies, for which he is a lecturer and instructor.
When Dr. Minarik isn’t enjoying one of Portland’s many parks or working on a home improvement project, he can be found running, mountain biking, playing tennis, rock climbing, kiteboarding, snowboarding, or paddle boarding. He’s also a fervent fan of the Portland Timbers soccer team and the proud father of two young daughters.
Memberships and Professional Organizations
- American Association of Orthopedic Medicine (AAOM). Member
- Naturopathic Orthopedic Medicine Academy (NOMA), Founding Member
- Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OANP), Member
- Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine (OBNM), Board Member, 2022 – Current
