36 MDG Physical Therapy Clinic ensures Team Andersen is fit to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Monica Rivera, 36th Medical Group Physical Therapy Clinic noncommissioned officer in charge, Tech. Sgt. Joel Andres, 36 MDG PT Clinic human performance flight chief and Capt. Meredith LaKomski, 36 MDG PT Clinic element chief, pose for a group photo on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 7, 2022. The PT Clinic is responsible for treating acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain, impact injuries, joint and muscle pain, post-operative conditions and sports injuries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Clevenger)

36 MDG Physical Therapy Clinic ensures Team Andersen is fit to fight

U.S. Air Force Capt. Meredith LaKomski, 36th Medical Group Physical Therapy Clinic element chief, holds a TheraBand during a lateral step down exercise with a patient at the PT Clinic on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 7, 2022. Physical therapists are trained on the intricate movements of the body and have the knowledge to teach others preventative resources to stop injuries from occurring. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Clevenger)

36 MDG Physical Therapy Clinic ensures Team Andersen is fit to fight

U.S. Air Force Capt. Meredith LaKomski, 36th Medical Group Physical Therapy Clinic element chief, performs an initial evaluation with a patient at the PT Clinic on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 7, 2022. LaKomski directs neuromusculoskeletal care of active duty members and is responsible for reviewing referrals, evaluating patients and guiding the treatment that they will receive. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Clevenger)

36 MDG Physical Therapy Clinic ensures Team Andersen is fit to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Monica Rivera, 36th Medical Group Physical Therapy Clinic noncommissioned officer in charge, watches a patient perform eccentric heel raises at the PT Clinic on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 7, 2022. This exercise helps strengthen calf muscles and reduces tension on the achilles tendon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Clevenger)

36 MDG Physical Therapy Clinic ensures Team Andersen is fit to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Monica Rivera, 36th Medical Group Physical Therapy Clinic noncommissioned officer in charge, assists a patient with putting on a TheraBand before performing closed kinetic chain ankle mobilization exercises at the PT Clinic on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 7, 2022. A customized PT plan helps ensure a patient's return to prior level of functioning so they can contribute to the mission to the best of their ability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Clevenger)

36 MDG Physical Therapy Clinic ensures Team Andersen is fit to fight

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joel Andres, 36th Medical Group Physical Therapy Clinic human performance flight chief, unstraps a patient from an Anti-Gravity Treadmill at the PT Clinic on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 7, 2022. The Alter G is an anti-gravity treadmill that uses a lifting effect to decrease a percentage of the patient’s body weight to support healing tissue while exercising. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Clevenger)

36th Medical Group Physical Therapy Clinic ensures Team Andersen is fit to fight

Published Sept. 8, 2022
By Airman Spencer Perkins
36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

“Physical therapy is not just about rehabilitation, it gives patients an opportunity to learn and actively participate in their recovery,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Meredith Lakomski, 36th Medical Group Physical Therapy Clinic element leader.

The PT clinic, located in the Coral Reef Fitness Center, provides care for approximately 10 patients and one group class a day.

“We empower people to take an active role in their care and participate in their recovery,” said Lakomski. “We advocate for health, wellness and fitness. With our help many can find the joy and happiness they may have lost due to pain or injury.”

The team treats acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain, impact injuries, joint and muscle pain, post-operative conditions and sports injuries.

“I direct neuromusculoskeletal care of the active duty members assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, where I am responsible for reviewing referrals, evaluating patients and guiding the treatment that they will receive, which is usually active participation based care,” said Lakomski. “We perform therapeutic exercises, strength and power training, manual therapy, balance training, return to run protocols, mobility and flexibility programs.”

Physical therapists are trained on the intricate movements of the body and they share their knowledge to prevent injuries from occurring.

“PT is most effective as preventative care,” said Tech. Sgt. Joel Andres, 36 MDG human performance flight chief. “Our patients can learn how to take care of themselves so that they don’t get re-injured.”

A patient’s rehabilitation can be a lengthy journey, but having the opportunity to see their recovery makes the process worthwhile especially when they can get back to doing their part in completing the mission, Andres said.

“PT has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the body systems and apply that to my joy of exercise and movement,” said Lakomski. “I love interacting with all the different kinds of people and being able to educate and find innovative ways to help them reach their goals.”