Debra Ludgater Physiotherapy

24/07/2025

The Rugby Tens Summer Youth Camp is wrapped up and this week we focus on the HP (High Performance) players before the senior players start to arrive next week for the Invitational on 1 & 3 August. The High Performance programme is ongoing at the facility. Plus a few other odds and ends in this photo dump. 😁
Days are still long and busy. Exhaustion is a thing!!

09/07/2025

Super Blessed to be back in San Clemente, California at the Rugby Tens Summer Youth Camp. 🏉 So wonderful to work with both boys and girls and such a stellar line up of Coaches. 🤩👌🏻💪🏻

25/06/2025

In my post on race shoes posted just before Comrades on 14 May , I mentioned that “Super Shoes” are not ideal for most runners as they alter foot biomechanics which will almost certainly result in injury.
It was so interesting to come across this post from Runners World UK written by Sophie Raworth who is a columnist for Runners World Uk, a journalist, newsreader , broadcaster and long distance runner.
Take a read. 🤔🤔

Sophie Raworth is saying farewell to super running shoes... and it she's not the only one.

'I suffered a stress fracture after upping my training in super shoes – and it seems I’m not the only one - I’m hanging up my carbon-plate shoes – at least until my feet and ankles are stronger’

Head to the comments to find out why 👇️

21/06/2025

Are you struggling with persistent neck pain or a burning sensation between your shoulder blades?
Are you spending long hours at your desk?
Bad posture at your workstation could be causing a number of problems including, but not limited to : neck pain , thoracic and lumbar back pain and an inhibition of your Diaphragm.
We spend hours sitting in a bad posture and then wonder why we can’t stand up straight, or why we walk around with a “Dowager’s hump” and a poking chin posture.
Perhaps it’s time to visit your physio who can teach you the correct desk top set up and ergonomics to avoid this. Your physio can use their hands to treat all the tight and painful areas. We can also teach you the correct movement patterns and exercises to release the tight connective tissue that has resulted from hours of bad posture.
It’s time to get up and move again!

14/05/2025

HAVE YOU GOT YOUR COMRADES RACE SHOES LOCKED IN? 👟

With slightly over 3 weeks to go before race day, you should by now have made a decision on which shoes you will be running in.
If not , then do so!
Ideally …. Your race day shoes will have 150 to 200 km’s of mileage in them. Once you have that mileage , you can comfortably put them aside for the big day….. and continue running in an older pair.
My Top Tip is to not make any drastic changes and to stick to your own tried and tested formula.
Do not fix what is not broken!
Above all else …. Please resist the urge to go into a pair of “Super Shoes”.
These shoes are termed “Super Shoes” because they are reinforced either with carbon plates, carbon infused rods or even nylon plates.
Anything that is reinforced is going to decrease foot mobility which is going to change your normal biomechanics as you will generally tend to slap your foot down. To compensate for this they are built with a higher stack (shoe cushioning) for increased shock absorption. This feels bouncier (and therefore faster), but because they are generally extremely soft, they can be inherently unstable for the slower runner and over longer distances. This and the altered biomechanics will inevitably result in injury.
Also bear in mind that they are “Super” expensive, and don’t last as long. In general a “Super Shoe” will last 300 to 600 km’s as opposed to your normal running trainer which will give you 800 to 1000 km’s.

You may wonder how the “Elite” runners manage to run in them? Please remember that the Elite runners generally have superior biomechanics to Recreational runners and invest a LOT of time in Strength work ….. this is why they are “Elite”.
Notwithstanding….. I have still had many Elite runners through my door with significant injuries as a result of running in “Super Shoes”, and with an increasing number of them electing not to use them at all.
Food for thought! 😉

07/05/2025

COMRADES RUNNERS!!

Are you “Ostriching”??

What is “Ostriching” you may ask?

Ostriching is “the deliberate avoidance or ignorance of conditions as they exist”.
So Yes, that injury, that ni**le that you are trying to ignore or pretend doesn’t exist….. it’s time to face the music, pull your head out the sand and get it sorted!
With 32 days to go, it’s time to focus on the big picture , which is getting to the start line injury free, pain free, comfortable and ready to run 90km’s.
We still have time to fix it.
Let’s not leave it to the last minute and come in asking for the “Magic wand”. 🙈🙈
Rather do yourself a favour and come in and see me now. 😉👌🏻

16/04/2025

Hello Cape Town ! 🤩😍
It’s time for some more rugby 🏉

30/01/2025

Couldn’t have said it better myself!! 😂
Runners are not accustomed to the fast acceleration and deceleration, as well as the quick changes in direction. Our bodies are not conditioned for that. Injury is very probable.
Even if you are not a runner, take some time to do the correct conditioning and mobility work before stepping on the Padel court! 🙌🏻👌🏻

03/12/2024

And that’s a wrap!
The last match day was frenetic with lots happening on 2 fields with the Youth as well as the Pro’s.
The after party that followed was amazing with staff and players of all 4 franchises coming together to celebrate the end of a successful championship.
Then all of a sudden it was over!
No more players to transport and one day left just to do a little bit of shopping and sight seeing.
Black Friday specials were astounding😮…. But the hype of Black Friday is not nearly as frantic as in South Africa, and the shopping malls were quiet.
And now it’s time to head home ….. I had an amazing experience, I have amazing memories.
And still feel so very blessed and grateful! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

29/11/2024

Thanks Giving day BBQ with the players.

28/11/2024

Another update and photo dump.

It still feels like a whirlwind. Working hard and playing hard too. 😅
I had to fill my vehicle with gas …. Quite an experience as you do it all yourself. No petrol attendants… and no car guards to tip either.
Still feeling so grateful to be here and doing the work …. Even with the highs and lows. Working with some pretty amazing physios and players.
Beach recovery sessions are the best. And it is so bizarre to see the sun setting over the sea instead of rising.
Match days are always busy and on the go all day. But this is what we are here for.
The organisation and detail that goes into this tournament is amazing!
I am a little homesick and missing my kitties 🐈‍⬛ 🐈 …. Especially as my mom had a bad fall and is not doing so well …. But I know I mustn’t wish this time away … because soon it will just be memories.
Still hoping to do a little sight seeing and taste some American food after the last tournament which is Saturday 30 November.
I start the long trip back on the 2 December, so have a day and a bit to do that.
Oh …. And something else that’s also bizarre …. They don’t really know what Comrades is here!! 😳😳

25/11/2024

So blessed and grateful to be a part of this !! 🙏🏻🤩