Ryan Minarik, ND, L.Ac.
Naturopathic Physician
Licensed Acupuncturist

Philosophy and Approach
I believe that health is a balance, and that treating any condition usually involves treating or addressing more than just one component. While this may be less necessary for acute, simple conditions, such as treating a bacterial infection with an antibiotic, many patients I treat have chronic, complex conditions for which there is not a matching single drug treatment. Modern medicine today has given us a number of incredibly helpful medications, but the reliance on these for too long leaves one with a growing, often insidious, list of side effects and a decreasing focus on the true reasons for their condition: the things they do daily that directly influence their body such as diet, nutrition, lifestyle, stress and environment. I love science and medicine, and believe in proven therapies with researched evidence. There is much conflicting research around both pharmaceutical and natural therapies, which I am always happy to discuss to provide understanding of appropriate use. Finally, I also believe that we do not have all the answers, and there are some patients whose conditions are so complex or misunderstood that we may need to try therapies outside the realm of double-blind, placebo controlled medicine. For these, I am always upfront with patients about our expectations and the alternative approach.

Our initial visit typically involves a thorough history, exam, and consideration of additional lab testing. For more longstanding conditions, typical lab tests may not give a complete picture and there are many independent, certified labs (Spectracell, Diagnostechs, Metametrix, US Biotek, and more) that can help identify relevant physiologic imbalances or infections. The first visit is also important in helping you navigate your treatment options - are there other viable approaches for your digestive condition or should the drug be the first option? Can we utilize prolotherapy, or does the state of your shoulder injury ultimately require surgery? Or is there a combination of therapies that reduces the side effects of the primary medication? I believe as the patient you are empowered by understanding your condition - control should be yours, not the doctor's (emergent cases aside).

I ultimately treat using a diverse approach that may involve supplements, nutrition, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, pharmaceuticals, bioidentical hormones, herbs, or regenerative injection therapies. I will prescribe pharmaceutical drugs when I don't believe a viable alternative exists, or where the risks of the disease outweighs seeking other treatments. I believe supplements can be extremely helpful and often safer than common drugs, but I still try to limit the number of pills you ultimately have to "pop". My foundation for treatment almost always incorporates diet and lifestyle, to begin to modify the habits you do on a daily basis that are the primary influence on your health and disease.

Experience and Training
I have experience in holistic medicine treating an array of patients, particularly chronic conditions including gastrointestinal, autoimmune, hormonal, allergies, and general fatigue. I find that many of these cases are multi-factorial, and thus require a diverse approach of both assessment and treatment, often overlooked with conventional care. My subspecialty and true passion is around musculoskeletal complaints related to chronic pain, sports or athletic injuries, and joint conditions. If chronic pain or injury is your main problem, I frequently use a mix of regenerative injections therapies (prolotherapy, PRP), acupuncture, dry needling, biopuncture, and/or neural therapy to encourage a full healing response.

I received my medical training as both a Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, Oregon. I then completed a 2 year residency at the school. I have done extensive training in regenerative injection therapies, with prolotherapy trainings from all 3 prominent national organizations (AAOM, AOAPRM, Hackett-Hemwall Foundation) as well as staying up to date with the most cutting-edge platelet-rich plasma (PRP) research at TOBI conferences. I am also certified in IV therapies including chelation, and have additional training in bioidentical hormone replacement and biopuncture. At the beginning of 2008 my wife, Lynsey, and I established Elixia Wellness Group, a multi-practitioner holistic health clinic in the Sellwood neighborhood.

Appointments
Pricing for medical appointments, injection therapies, and IV treatments vary depending on time and complexity of each visit. Please contact our front desk further for rates. I do offer free, 10 minute phone consults for prolotherapy and PRP procedures to discuss the nature of these as related to your condition. Dr. Minarik is now affiliated directly with some insurance providers and Elixia will assist with billing for such visits if applicable. Time of service discounts are offered for our non-insured clients or those not choosing to utilize coverage.

About Me
I am native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington State and attending the University of Washington in Seattle as an undergraduate. My interests outside of medicine include traveling, and most any outdoor activity I can participate in such as rock climbing, kite boarding, snowboarding, tennis, soccer, hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing.

Memberships
– Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OANP), www.oanp.org