Tom Shaw PT

Tom Shaw PT Sports massage therapist and personal trainer based in Didcot, Oxfordshire

10/09/2026

PASS OR FAIL: HAND BEHIND YOUR BACK?

Can you get both hands behind your back to a similar position? 👀

Reach one hand over your shoulder and down your back, while bringing the other hand up from underneath. Then swap sides.

✅ PASS: Similar range on both sides with no pain or major compensation.

❌ FAIL: Noticeable difference between sides, pain, pinching, or needing to twist/lean to get further.

But here’s the important bit…

A difference doesn’t automatically mean you have a “bad shoulder”. It could be related to shoulder mobility, your upper back, muscle flexibility, previous injury or how well you control the shoulder blade.

Asymmetry is a clue, not a diagnosis.

Which side was worse for you? 👇

If you’re consistently restricted or getting pain, a proper assessment can help work out what’s actually limiting you.

📍 Didcot
📩 DM me to book a movement assessment or sports massage.

Whether you’re training hard, dealing with everyday aches or simply need some time to switch off, sports massage and hot...
07/09/2026

Whether you’re training hard, dealing with everyday aches or simply need some time to switch off, sports massage and hot stone massage can help you feel better and move better.

🏋️ Reduce muscle tension
🏃 Support recovery
🧘‍♂️ Promote relaxation

Book your massage today and give your body the attention it deserves.

https://www.sumupbookings.com/fitness-wellbeing-hub-ltd

Love this feature from ATHX, you have an online Athlete Profile, where you can see your latest results and see all your ...
02/09/2026

Love this feature from ATHX, you have an online Athlete Profile, where you can see your latest results and see all your past results too, great for reflecting on your progress. What digital tools do you use to track your fitness progress??

ATHX BIRMINGHAM 2026 🏆🔥What an experience! Birmingham was absolutely brilliant, and one of the things I loved most was h...
25/08/2026

ATHX BIRMINGHAM 2026 🏆🔥

What an experience! Birmingham was absolutely brilliant, and one of the things I loved most was how family-friendly the whole event felt. It made taking part even more enjoyable knowing the family could be there, get involved and enjoy the atmosphere too. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

I was also really happy with how my strength held up on the day:

💀 Deadlift – 140kg
🏋️ Squat – 120kg
💪 Press – 58kg

Some big numbers for me and a great indication that all the strength work has been paying off. There’s definitely still plenty to improve, but I’m really pleased with the progress!

Another event ticked off and another reminder of why I love this type of training. 🔥

ATHX Birmingham 2026 — done! ✅

HYROX HybridAthlete

19/08/2026

PASS OR FAIL? Can you stand up using ONE LEG? 👀

Here’s your challenge:

🪑 Sit on a chair
🦵 Extend one leg out in front of you
🙅‍♂️ Cross your arms
⬆️ Stand up using one leg
⬇️ Slowly lower yourself back down

Try 3 reps on each side.

Did you PASS or FAIL?

A struggle with this test doesn’t automatically mean there’s something wrong, but it can highlight differences in:

🍑 Hip & glute strength
🦵 Knee control
🦶 Ankle mobility & stability
⚖️ Balance & coordination
💪 Single-leg strength

Pay attention to whether one side feels noticeably harder than the other.

👇 Comment PASS or FAIL — and tell me which leg was harder!

If you’re experiencing recurring knee, hip or ankle pain, don’t just work around it. Finding out why you’re struggling can be the first step towards getting you moving better.

📩 Message me to book a movement assessment or sports massage.

Yesterday I extended this offer to the Sobell House running team… because apparently I enjoy making runners feel slightl...
13/08/2026

Yesterday I extended this offer to the Sobell House running team… because apparently I enjoy making runners feel slightly less broken. 😂🏃‍♂️

If you’re fundraising for any of the charities supported by the Oxford Half Marathon, I’d love to help you out too!

Get 50% OFF a sports massage and give those legs a fighting chance before or after race day. 🦵💆‍♂️

Head to my online store to claim the offer and book your appointment 👇

Run for charity. Get battered by me. Everybody wins. 😂

11/08/2026

PASS OR FAIL? Can You Turn Your Head Equally?

Desk worker? Driver? Gym-goer? 👀

Try this simple test:

Sit or stand upright, keep your shoulders facing forwards and slowly turn your head as far as is comfortable to the left, then repeat to the right.

Do both sides feel the same?

A noticeable difference between sides could be influenced by:
🔹 Neck mobility
🔹 Upper-back mobility
🔹 Shoulder and upper-back muscle tension
🔹 Previous injury
🔹 Spending long periods in the same position

But remember — a restricted side doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong with your neck. Your neck, shoulders and upper back all work together, so we need to look at the bigger picture.

👇 PASS or FAIL?

Comment below and tell me which side felt tighter.

If you’re constantly stretching your neck but the stiffness keeps coming back, it might be time to look at why it’s happening rather than just treating the tightness.

📩 Send me a message to book an assessment.

Stretching every day but your back, neck or shoulders still feel tight?Here’s something that surprises most people…“Tigh...
04/08/2026

Stretching every day but your back, neck or shoulders still feel tight?

Here’s something that surprises most people…

“Tight” muscles aren’t always the problem.

Often they’re working overtime because something else isn’t moving properly. That’s why you can stretch for weeks and still wake up stiff.

As a Sports Massage Therapist in Didcot, I help people with things like:

✅ Desk-related neck and shoulder pain
✅ Lower back stiffness
✅ Tight calves and hamstrings
✅ Running and gym injuries
✅ Posture correction

Every appointment starts with a movement assessment so we can find why you’re in pain not just where it hurts.

Many people leave feeling looser after one session, but more importantly they leave understanding what’s causing the problem and what to do about it.

If you’re constantly saying…
👉 “It just feels tight all the time.”
👉 “I’ve tried stretching and nothing changes.”
👉 “I keep getting the same injury.”

Drop me a message and let’s see if I can help.

📍 Fitness & Wellbeing Hub, Didcot
📅 Evening and weekend appointments available.

04/08/2026

PASS OR FAIL? The Hip Hinge Test

Think you’re bending from your hips… or is your back doing all the work? 👀

Grab a broomstick or pole and place it against your:
✅ Head
✅ Upper back
✅ Tailbone

Now push your hips backwards and lean forwards, keeping all three points in contact with the stick.

Did you PASS or FAIL?

Most people think bending over is all about flexibility, but it’s actually about how well your hips and spine work together.

A fail could indicate:
🍑 Reduced hip mobility
💪 Weak glutes or hamstrings
🦴 Poor movement control
⚠️ Your lower back is doing more work than it should

This doesn’t necessarily mean you have a back problem, but it could explain why your back feels sore after deadlifting, gardening, lifting shopping bags, or even picking something up off the floor.

👇 Comment PASS or FAIL below and let me know:
🔹 Did you feel it in your glutes and hamstrings?
🔹 Or mostly in your lower back?

I’ll explain what your result could mean.

If bending over causes pain or your lower back keeps tightening up, a movement assessment can help identify the cause and get you moving more efficiently.

📩 Send me a message to book an assessment.

– Neck PainDoes your neck feel stiff or sore after…✅ Working at a computer?✅ Looking down at your phone?✅ A long drive...
31/07/2026

– Neck Pain

Does your neck feel stiff or sore after…

✅ Working at a computer?
✅ Looking down at your phone?
✅ A long drive?
✅ Sitting through back-to-back meetings?

You’re definitely not alone.

Many people assume desk-related neck pain is simply caused by “bad posture.” The truth is, it’s often a combination of staying in one position for too long, reduced movement, muscle fatigue, stress, and even limited mobility through your upper back and shoulders.

Try this today: 👇

Every hour, stand up and perform 10 chin tucks followed by 10 shoulder blade squeezes. Then take a short walk, even if it’s just to refill your water bottle. Your neck loves movement more than perfect posture.

💬 Where do you feel your neck pain?

🔴 Base of the skull (headaches)
🔴 One side of the neck
🔴 Across the tops of the shoulders
🔴 Pain that travels into the arm

Comment below and I’ll explain what it could indicate.

If your neck pain keeps returning or is making it difficult to work, exercise, or sleep, it’s worth getting assessed. Finding the cause is far more effective than constantly stretching the same muscles.

📩 Send me a message to book an assessment and let’s get you moving comfortably again.

Address

Unit 7 Hawksworth
Didcot
OX117HR

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