Georgetown Sports Massage — Local services in Washington

After multiple debilitating injuries, Terrel got me through training for my first ever marathon, Big Sur (not recommended for newbies - huge hills and strong headwinds!). And I finished the marathon!!

Through my decade of long distance running, I have dealt with more than my fair share of injuries and have tried more than a few types of injury relief and prevention - acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic, and traditional physical therapy, just to name a few. Terrel's Active Release Technique massage tops that list in effectiveness. I have seen Terrel for almost two months for a serious case of IT band syndrome and am ecstatic to report dramatic improvement. The day before going to Terrel, I was unable to run one mile; the day after, I ran 7 and could have easily done more. And even as the miles ramp up, my IT band has been behaving, thanks to Terrel's weekly massages.

It is very clear how much experience Terrel has, and not just in injury relief and prevention; following his suggestions has also made a big difference in my training. Terrel also firmly believes in treating the body as a single system and finding the root of the injury, rather than just treating the symptoms. As a result, my entire body feels better after each session, and not just my IT band. Areas that, through the years, have experienced nagging pains and tightness (especially my hips and calves) feel stronger, healthier, and more flexible than ever.

In addition to his skills in releasing muscle and tendon tension, Terrel's calm and friendly attitude further ensures that every session will be a positive experience, and it is always a pleasure to see him.

My first conversation with Terrel sums up his (well-earned!) confidence in approaching injuries and pain: during my first appointment with Terrel, I asked him, being unable to run one mile, if running my first marathon in 4 months was feasible. Terrel answered with a confident yes. Before my first session, I was hopeful of finishing the marathon; after my first session, I am certain that I will complete that marathon, with Terrel's help.

AFTER THE RACE: I wish I could rate more than 5 stars. I somehow miraculously finished the Big Sur marathon, despite not being able to run for the last 30 days of my training thanks to some Achilles issues, despite spraining my ankle on mile 11 (while looking at my phone!), and despite the hills and headwinds. Terrel's last few massages made all the difference in the world in helping me recover from Achilles tendinitis, and when race day arrived my flexibility and muscle balance felt better than ever (although I lost a lot of conditioning from taking so much time off). The fact that Terrel got a first time marathoner who was never 100% healthy during the 5 month training cycle to the finishing line is a testament to his abilities.

Without Terrel, I would have dropped out of the race. With Terrel, I managed to finish my first ever marathon without training for...

About 8 years ago, my son returned home from spending two years as a missionary in Singapore/ Malaysia. When he walked down the corridor of the BWI airport, he shuffled along like an old man. He said his knees hurt and he didn't want to share his pain with us because he was told that he would have to deal with it when he returned home. After consulting with three Orthopedic Surgeons, he was directed to do some physical therapy to build up his strength in his legs. A couple of months later, he was so debilitated that he couldn't walk. We considered flying him back to Singapore/ Malaysia to consult with doctors there. We considered putting him in a study at NIH. Then I ran into a friend who was a runner and had found herself in the same situation as my son. She found the solution to her problem by consulting with Terrel Hale of Georgetown Sports Massage. He recommended ART (Active Release Technique) massage to break-up the scar tissue in her legs, followed by an icing protocol, stretching, and strength training (after the scar tissue had been broken up). When I met my friend, she was walking normally without pain. This same technique worked for my son!!! After the first ART massage, his gait improved visibly and he reported that he was able to sleep without the pain that just a light blanket had caused when it was touching his legs at night. After a few months, our son was able to resume playing soccer and frisbee at college. Terrel Hale and his ART protocol worked a miracle for my son!!! About a year ago, I began having pain in my left shoulder. I consulted with an Orthopedist and was told to take Advil or get a cortisone shot. After researching the possible side effects of the recommendations, I decided to see Terrel Hale. I was able to use the same technique to un-freeze my frozen shoulder and regain my flexibility without pain! Terrel Hale and his ART protocol worked a...

I am new to the world of sports massage - and was a bit of a skeptic. I am now a convert, and have benefited immensely from treatments by Terrel.

In training, I have had muscle soreness, cramps, and muscle spasms a-plenty. Most usually resolved with stretching, hydration, and taking a few days off. However, after having my calf muscle cramp severely, and fail to release after almost a week (even walking was uncomfortable, with a stinging sensation in my leg as if I had swung a bat at a fence post in winter), I took a recommendation to see Terrel. I am immensely glad that I did.

After just one treatment (and though somewhat painful through the treatment) and feeling very tight afterwards, I was feeling well enough to walk and jog the next morning. After two treatments I am back on track with my distance runs and training regimen. These treatments seem to do more for my muscle pain and tightness than any of the anti-inflammatory drugs I had previously taken. I enthusiastically recommend Terrel.

As an update - I have continued to work with Terrel, and he has been very helpful in identifying causes of some of my more chronic but less acute pain (such as knee discomfort) that after seeing several physicians and having an MRI was something I thought I would just "have to live with" as it cropped up. Hip, groin, and IT band stretching and strengthening have made a world of difference - and Terrel has helped guide me.

Writing this after having seen Terrel weekly for the last month, I can very much say that Terrel cares about his clients mental and physical well-being. He has helped me mentally prepare for training, work through injury/setbacks, and focus on why running and moving really matter to me. ...