Carrie Tomkins - Sports Massage Therapist. PT and Menopause Coach

27/09/2026

I've been training at the amazing The Cotswold Academy - Complementary Health & Sport for my Level 4 sports massage all week

Level 3 is all about massage for general aches, recovery and keeping your muscles happy. Level 4 goes deeper. It's about properly assessing what's going on and treating specific problems like niggling injuries, restricted movement, or that shoulder that's been bothering you for months.

We've been working on techniques like MET (muscle energy technique) and STR (soft tissue release). Which are gentle, active ways of helping tight muscles let go and move better, with you working alongside me rather than just lying there.

So if you're booked in with me soon, expect some new tricks. Whether you're an athlete or just want to get out of bed without creaking, this is for every body.

Can't wait to put it all into practice

07/07/2026

Why I might massage your chest when your upper back hurts.

There are 2 different types of tight muscles: muscles that are tight because they are short and muscles that are tight because they have been lengthened. It's usually these lengthened muscles that cause the pain but generally it's the short muscles that cause it.

So don't be surprised if I massage a completely different part of the body to the one that hurts.

17/06/2026

Just finished my myofascial cupping CPD at Cotswold Academy!

Cupping uses suction instead of pressure to release fascial restrictions and get blood flow into tight, stuck tissue. If you’ve seen the photos and wondered about the circles, scroll down for the explanation.

Those marks aren’t bruises, even though they look like it. Bruising comes from blunt trauma. Cupping marks come from suction drawing blood and fluid up from tissue that’s tight or holding tension, the darker the mark, the more stagnation was there. They don’t hurt (some can be sensitive) and fade within a few days to a week. Completely normal and expected.

10/06/2026

Exciting news — next week I’m heading to Cotswold Academy for my Myofascial Cupping CPD training!

I can’t wait to add this to my toolkit and will soon be offering it as part of my treatment services.

Myofascial cupping uses negative pressure to lift and decompress the soft tissue, rather than compressing it like traditional massage. This makes it brilliant for releasing fascial restrictions, improving mobility, reducing muscle tension, and supporting recovery — a really powerful complement to sports massage.

Watch this space — I’ll be sharing more once I’m back! 🔵

01/06/2026

So nice to get feedback like this! Can wait for my next retreat in a few weeks!!

19/05/2026

Lovely to see comments like this pop up in my feed, especially from my Auntie Dawn! I love being able to make people feel better and live life pain free! Always means the world when people take the time to share their experience 🖤

Shoulder pain is one of the most common things I see and honestly one of the most satisfying to help with. The shoulder is one of the most unstable joints in the body with a massive 17 muscles attaching to the scapula — so when something’s not right, you really feel it.

19/05/2026

People often ask what my work actually looks like day to day and honestly it’s pretty varied.

In the past week, I’ve trained a group of amazing woman at a menopause retreat, been out with PT clients working on strength, recovery, movement and HYROX, and spent time with people on the table who’ve been quietly putting up with something for months longer than they needed to.

I love my work! ❤️

17/05/2026

12/04/2026

Menopause Retreat!

On Saturday 16th May, I’ll be joining the incredible Dr Verity Jones (GP and sexual health doctor) and the wonderful Bex at Frith Meadow for a full day retreat designed especially for women navigating perimenopause and beyond.

I’ll be leading a strength training session focused on building muscle and bone density, improving your form, and gaining confidence you can build on — with everything practical enough to take home and keep doing.

The day runs 10:30–4:30 and includes:

💪 Strength training with me
🩺 Dr Verity Jones — Our Health Journey
🧘 5 Elements with Annie
🧖 Sauna & cold plunge
🍽️ Nourishing lunch and refreshments

All for just £65pp — and spaces are limited.

This is such a special event and I can’t wait to be part of it. If you’ve been wondering where to start with your health this year, this could be your day. 💜

📩 Book via [email protected]

04/04/2026