Resources
This spring has changed our lives and lifestyles around the COVID-19 Pandemic. Here is a summary of the updates the past year for Dr. Coffman.
In May of 2019 Hands On Health moved from its Columbia Location to a home office for Dr. Coffman to focus on teaching and writing. I have been working on a book to benefit my patients and the public. By October 2019 the outline was formed. In February of this year, after a decision to not schedule appointments for the coming year, I drafted the beginnings of the book!
On April 1, 2020 I recorded an interview show, “Electrical You” hosted by Dr. Arlene Dijamco. You can watch it here https://youtu.be/ImQ9IwPOwiI. It contains an essential exercise for daily health. Many of you will recognize it from the office!
My presentation for the “Cours Dentaire”, an osteopathic dental course, with my European colleagues in France will be postponed from June to a later date.
Writing will be my primary focus this year along with online teaching for both osteopathic professionals and for the public. I am happy to be supporting osteopathic specialists and to give people tools for health at home!
Be well,
Dr. Coffman
Dear Patients,
The office will be closed in January 2019 for an extended period of time. Dr. Coffman will begin post-graduate teaching for physicians in 2019!
We are not accepting new patients in December 2018.
Please like the Facebook page to stay posted about upcoming offerings and events through Hands on Health including group appointments and community classes as well as future appointment availability.
www.facebook.com/Hands-On-Health-Osteopathic-Medicine-Dr-Maria-Coffman
Board certified NMM-OMM specialists I have worked closely with in Missouri include:
David Spencer, D.O. – Kirksville, MO (660) 627-3363
Bethany Klug, D.O. – Prairie Village, KS ( Kansas City)
Jay Danto, D.O.- Joplin, MO
For integrative Medicine I have worked closely and shared patients with
Elizabeth Alleman, M.D. – Columbia, MO
Sally Ellebracht-Gerke, M.D. – Boonville, MO
For integrative medicine with OMM:
Susan Overkamp, D.O. – Crystal City, MO (914) 357-5681
For a geographic search you can also use the physician search option on :
CranialAcademy.org
Wishing you the best in 2019,
Dr. Maria Coffman
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Hands on Health is open Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays!
Additionally,
we will be OPEN Monday, December 18th and
CLOSED December 25, 2017 through January 1, 2018.
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Try a healthy holiday recipe this year and enjoy the anti-inflammatory benefits of fresh food!
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Starlight will be rejoining our office at the start of the new year! We are so excited to welcome her back!
We will be OPEN on Monday, November 13th and Monday, November 20th.
We will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th.
WE WISH YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!
Welcome to Dr. David Spencer (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Specialist), LaCoiya (Support Staff) and our Pre-Med shadows, Olivia and Badr!
Thank you to the Greater Columbia Area Dental Hygiene Association for the opportunity to present cranial osteopathy and orthodontics!
Summer News!
The office will be open Fridays, July 7, July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11, and August 25! We will be open Mondays, July 10 and August 14!
Dr. Maria Coffman and Dr. David Spencer attended the OCA Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in June. Dr. Coffman completed her cranial proficiency certificate. She was also appointed co-chair of the International Committee with Eric Hupet, D.O. of Belgium.
Congratulations to Dr. David Spencer! He has completed specialized training in Internal Medicine, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Look for him in the office during July and August!
Congratulations to Mikayla Knaebel! Mikayla will be attending the newest of osteopathic medical colleges in Joplin, MO, beginning in July!
We are working on finishing up our research project with ATSU, so ask us if you qualify!
Pictured below (right to left): Dr. David Spencer, Dr. Maria Coffman, Kathryn Tupper, D.O. of Australia, Itsuji, D.O. and his translator from Japan.
We will be open Fridays, March 5th, May 12th, May 19th, and May 26th! We will also be open Monday, May 22nd!
Welcome to pre-med shadow, Fariba Pourooshasb!
The office is participating in a research project by the National Institutes of Health and ATSU regarding Osteopathic Treatment. Inquire for enrollment.
We are collecting patient experiences to display on our website. If you would like to share your osteopathic story, please let us know!
Please call us or go online to schedule your next appointment!
We will be open Fridays, April 14th and April 21st. We will also be open Monday, April 24th!
Welcome to pre-med shadow, Fariba Pourooshasb!
Rule of the Artery Course
Thank you to our Australian colleagues, bringing their expertise to us in Arizona this month.
Research Opportunity
Ask us if you qualify for a survey style research with ATSU!
Want to share?
If you would like to share your osteopathic story, please let us know! View others on our website.
Guidelines for Finding a Better Fit
- Add one size up on the bra-band and one cup size down from the recommended bra-fitting guideline.
For example, if a trained bra-fitter measures you as a 38C, try starting with a 40B. This will give the ribs room to breathe while maintaining a similar cup volume.
- Add a bra-extender to the back of the bra. These can be found wherever seqing notions are sold for a few dollars.
*White bra-extenders can be tinted to a beige-tan shade by soaking in black coffee (liquid) overnight. Let it dry and rinse.
- Look for styles that offer a leotard-style back, like a scoop where the straps curve together to meet instead of being sewn onto the band at right angles.
- Avoid the underwire, metal or plastic! Many styles can have the casing snipped and the wire removed while retaining the fit of the bra.
- Warner’s style “Back to Smooth” offers all of the above characteristics and can be viewed online as a starting point.
- Warner’s offers more styles for those with a slight build. Bali offers several wireless styles for fuller figures.
- Elastic and spandex want to be their natural size all day, too. As a rule of thumb, measure your own ribcage with a full breath in the area of the bra-band. Measure the garment you are considering, and compare. Even the super-stretchy pull-over bras can cause a problem due to their “sizing.” A Medium is usually too small for even a 34 inch chest!
- Sports Bras – Follow the above rule of thumb. Try to balance the need for restriction versus the need for oxygen in your activity.
- Camisoles and tanks often have a shelf-bra built in. The elastic band is usually too small even after sizing up. Snipping the side seams and adding some bias tape or leaving it open will give the ribs their breath! Sometimes removing the elastic from the back half of the garment is needed.
Tips on hosiery and socks:
- As noted above, elastic and spandex will try to recoil all day, so be aware of its initial size!
- Wear the least hose possible. For example, avoid pantyhose if knee-highs will suffice.
- Avoid “control-top,” and snip the waist band vertically if necessary of pantyhose.
- Be sure toes have plenty of room to wiggle in hose or socks.
- If your socks are leaving a mark or dent in the leg, they are too tight and inhibiting the flow of circulation.
Bras, Shapers, and Hose! What’s really happening?
Many ladies have arrived in the office with ill-fitting undergarments. Tight-fitting undergarments, such as bras, shapers, and hosiery actually defeat our best intentions for a healthy body and figure!
We have all heard the recommendation, “Breathe!” Optimal breathing is vital to our health for both oxygenation and waste-toxin removal.
Here is how it affects us:
With tight clothing, the ribs and abdomen are not able to expand properly. This decreases oxygenation and the flow of lymph back into circulation. Oxygen is required for fat to be utilized and “burned-off,” and our lymph is the fluid that removes waste from the tissues. Restraining clothing (shapers) decreases both our quantity of oxygen and the capability to carry it to tissue. The body will actually retain fluid and a layer of fat in response.
Snug bra-bands and underwires produce long-term deformities of the ribs. Women frequently have a flare of the ribs just below the bra in the front. The chest wall itself can become compressed and does not expand with the breath.
Tight stockings, pantyhose, or elastic socks play a role in the tension and deformity of the foot even if the shoe has reasonable shape. Modern day binding of the feet has occurred!
See “A Better Fit” for recommendations in fitting undergarments, camisoles, and hosiery.
Dr. Coffman first treated me for back pain that reoccurred after two years. My surgeon had told me I had back spurs, and I didn’t believe there was a treatment for the pain. I couldn’t lie down without pain. After one visit with Dr. Coffman, I slept pain-free all night! I had complete relief from my debilitating back pain. It’s amazing to observe the dramatic effects of such gentle treatment. -Sharon M.