Our Story

Portrait of a boy with the map of the world painted on his face

“We never know how far reaching something we think, say or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.”
BJ Palmer

Our goal and mission is not only to help the people in front of us locally but to branch out and make an impact in the world. It only takes small decisions and actions to affect the lives of others and Hands for Life SLP Elmwood is striving to make that difference. Dr. Erik Coombs and his wife Mackenzie Coombs have made it their life work to provide access to alternative health care and to educate on clean living. There are many people in the world who aren’t blessed with the same opportunities we get here in the United States, people who don’t have access to clean water and a predictable next meal. There are countless people struggling with their health and at a loss for alternative options. It is our mission to make a difference, any difference, because as small as that might be, the impact can be far reaching in the right situation.

Our Mission

To create a natural avenue for the underserved, financial hard-shipped population throughout the world to regain their health through:

  1. Chiropractic care creating an efficiently running nervous system,
  2. Accessible clean water and healthy food,
  3. The opportunity to have a superior education so that each person can reach their god given potential and create a healthier world tomorrow.

Our Purpose

Hands For Life is a non profit 501(c)3 that prides itself on looking for the “greater good” within each individual on God’s planet.  We understand there may be a divide that separates people based on culture, ethnicity, race, etc., and Hands For Life sees these difference’s as reasons to unite as one!  Just like a rainbow has different colors, those colors makes up its inherent beauty.  HFL sees the same inherent beauty within all people on our planet.   Our differences and individual  uniqueness’ make our world more exciting, more educational and more real.  Hands For Life is dedicated to creating a healthier world while honoring the differences amongst us.  We travel the globe to touch lives and educate  people about health.  Through chiropractic and a natural lifestyle, along with water, food and education, Hands For Life sees its role as a facilitator to unleash the God given potential residing within each person.  Sustainability, empowerment, better health and self sufficiency are what we leave behind after we touch so many.  Our goal is simple: to make sure every man, woman and child have a high functioning nerve system, enough food and water for great nutrition, and an education so they can read, write,  and have the basic skills so they can thrive and thus make a better contribution to the world.

Our Team

We’re a family of chiropractors serving to make the world a healthier, more connected place. Our team understands the disparity in healthcare across the globe. There are some communities with access to excellent chiropractic care. There are other groups of people who have no way of receiving the benefit of chiropractic care. Our team came together to try and shrink the gap between the “haves” and the “have not’s”.

Dr. Erik Coombs has a passion for educating the people around him on true health and wellness and how the body was designed to function. He grew up in Wisconsin Rapids, WI and has always been drawn to healthcare as a passion.

Dr. Erik is on a mission to help others live a predictable healthy life. He envisions changing Saint Louis Park, MN and the surrounding area in to a community where children are raised drug free and cases of chronic disease plummet. He wants to see a community that embraces the role of principled chiropractic in living a life free of nervous system interference. He wants the people of his community to be educated and in turn, take control of their lives through preventative health care. Dr. Erik Coombs

President

Mackenzie has always had a strong passion and desire to learn more about alternative modalities and a more natural approach to health. Her education began in Costa Rica serving the underprivileged while she attended massage therapy school. She has taken continuing education courses in pre/postnatal massage as well as prenatal and infant craniosacral therapy techniques. Her training and knowledge of the human body and its incredible ability to heal from the inside out fueled her desire to educate and help others. Having experienced firsthand the amazing benefits of chiropractic care, she is excited to share our message and encourage others in their path towards optimal health and healing! In her spare time, she’s also very passionate about skin care and improving the quality of skin care products to be clean and free from any harmful additives. Mackenzie Coombs

Vice President

Steve is the current president of Heintz and Clark CPA. He has a unique background in government, he excels at managing financials and has a service first outlook on business and life. Steve Heintz

Treasurer

Dr. Pete Brettingen was born and raised in Waconia, MN. In high school through guidance of his uncle, Dr. Todd Frisch, discovered chiropractic and the benefits it had to offer. He completed his undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where he had the opportunity to work for one of the largest chiropractic offices in Wisconsin, Cook Chiropractic. While working for this office Dr. Pete had many opportunities to travel across the world attending many seminars. Dr. Pete has also had the opportunity to serve in Haiti on three separate chiropractic mission trips.

He is continually learning at many seminars and speaks at different chiropractic conferences. Away from the office you will find Dr. Pete spending time with friends and family, golfing, hunting and fishing. Pete Brettingen, D.C

Board Member

Dr. Ben Sevlie grew up in Red Wing, Minnesota as the son of a chiropractor and has been fortunate enough to receive chiropractic care since birth. With every free moment that he has he can be found playing beach volleyball, Olympic weight–lifting, serving at River Valley Church and spending time with his beautiful wife, Laci and two girls, Brooklyn and Liberty. Dr. Sevlie is passionate about chiropractic as he has seen the impact that it has had on his own life and the people he has worked with. He is very eager and excited to educate about living life to its fullest potential! Benjamin Sevlie, D.C.

Board Member

Dr. Kyle grew up in Thief River Falls, MN. From a young age, he had a deep desire to serve and help others, which led him to the University of North Dakota, where he pursued a degree as a Registered Nurse. While working as a nurse, his wife Rachel began to experience life-changing results from chiropractic care. Dr. Kyle then realized that true health comes from the inside out. The significance of Rachel’s story triggered a response by Dr. Kyle. He made it his life’s mission to pursue chiropractic, so that he could facilitate this kind of life-changing story in hundreds of individuals and families. Kyle Trontvet D.C.

Board Member