I was injured in a military free-fall parachuting accident many years ago. This accident cause an imbalance that literally zigzags across my body from my upper shoulder to my hip to my thigh down to my heel. I have started a comprehensive and holistic recovery (self therapy) program that has been significantly informed by Terrel. I found Terrel on the Active Release Technique (ART) website. If you don't know what ART is, read the website at http://www.activerelease.com--he was one of the most-qualified providers available on their provider search site: http://www.activerelease.com/providerSearch.asp. In ART, he is qualified in Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Spine, Nerve Entrapment, Biomechanics, Active Palpitation, ART Masters, and is an ART Ironman provider. I was on a trip to the DC area (I live out of the country and cannot get this sort of treatment where I live). He immediately made space for me in his schedule. During our sessions, he also introduced me to a stretching technique that complements ART: Aaron Mattes' Active Isolated Stretching. http://www.stretchingusa.com/active-isolated-stretching I have now incorporated these techniques as well as ice baths into my program of fitness and strength training. Terrel worked with me over several days and even modified his schedule to match my availability. During and after our sessions, he would share information on what was going on in my system. He would also email me links and areas to focus on. I am not a medical professional, so having the names of the muscles and web sites to search on has really aided me in my ability to focus on trouble spots in my self therapy and to better understand what is going on in my body. Terrel is knowledgeable, has a great attitude, and has a well-developed technique for addressing issues related to sports recovery. read more

Cutting to the chase: If you are someone who exercises regularly and takes recovery seriously, I would highly recommend going to Terrel. The massages are great. He also takes direction very well and is very knowledgeable about stretching. Whether it's for regular aches/pains or a more serious recurring issue, I would highly recommend going to see Terrel. I've been going to Terrel since December of 2018. I lift weights regularly (powerlifting) and play basketball a few times a week. As you'd imagine, this leads to a good bit of soreness. When I moved to DC from NYC, I was looking for someone to replace my excellent massage therapist. I asked him for recommendations and he referred me to a website where Terrel was listed. I tried it out for an initial session and was impressed. At the time, I was dealing with a pretty annoying back issue and I noticed immediate improvements. I've since signed up for multiple packages with Terrel and he has helped me through normal aches and pains, as well as more serious issues. I would highly recommend that you follow Terrel's advice to come to the session post-workout. I recently changed from getting the massages at random times during the day to only doing post-workout and have noticed a remarkable difference in soreness. Terrel also takes direction very well so I'd encourage an open dialogue about your specific needs. He is also a wealth a knowledge on stretching and recommend a book of stretches to me when I was dealing with some neck pain. That was extremely helpful as well. In a nutshell: Would highly recommend. read more

I want to start by stating that I have been routinely using Yelp since 2010...and this is the first time I've felt compelled to write a review. I began seeing Terrel in the weeks leading up to my first ultra marathon (a 50-miler). An avid runner, I have been battling with calf/achilles issues for as long as I can remember. I had also hit a point in my ultra training where my legs were constantly feeling "sluggish" and fatigued. I was at my wits' end when my wife recommended a sports massage. After some exhaustive research, she found Terrel and Georgetown Sports Massage. Always a skeptic...I went to my first appointment with my mind already made up that this wasn't going to fix anything...that I was just destined to battle through leg injuries and tightness for the rest of my running life. Now I don't know what kind of crazy magic Terrel is working, but no bulls##tting, after only my first appointment my legs felt completely reinvigorated. I was shocked. And my calf/achilles problems became non-existent. Weeks later I crushed my first 50-miler, and now I am a regular at Georgetown Sports Massage as I prep for my first 100-miler. Terrel is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of sports massage and sports mind-body relationship. The dude is amazing. I can't recommend this place enough. read more

I have been receiving body work from Terrel for 2 years and I there is a reason it's been 2 years! I keep coming back because Terrel is so good at adjusting every week to new areas that need work done and each session is never quite the same. His holistic approach is one that I appreciate because it's not just body work but also the amazing ability he has to incorporate energy healing. That is a gift Terrel has and one that he has mastered over his span of massage therapy and inner work. He also can easily pinpoint where an issue in the body is present and nows exactly the right technique to address it. Terrel does amazing work on post-workout recovery on the body. I like to weight train and my back has suffered at times as a result. After getting worked on by Terrel, my muscles are at ease and my tight lower back is a thing of the past. If you are looking for a session that leaves you feeling restored, relaxed, in touch with your body, feeling good all day, refreshed, calm but energized, peaceful, and complete then look no further........Terrel is your answer! read more

I'm a professional distance runner based in the DC area. Terrel (the owner and massage therapist of GSM) has been working with me for most of this year and his work has already made an enormous difference in my training. Whether I have something specific that is bothering me or simply am looking for extra help with recovery between training sessions, Terrel has proven himself as one of the most capable and effective therapists I've ever worked with. He truly understands the way the body works and will work to help YOU understand as well, so you can get an idea of what he's doing and why it will help you. Beyond that, Terrel also has a background in academia and has a lot of knowledge of mind/body connection with regard to sports performance. Learning about how to pay attention to my body and calm my mind has already helped me in my own running. I would recommend Terrel as highly as I could for anyone looking for massage therapy in the DC area. Very conveniently located as well! Best, Tyler Andrews Pro Runner - HOKA ONE ONE Elite read more

I currently run about 40-50 miles a week training for various levels of running races up to 50 milers. I've been seeing Terrel for the last 8 months and over that time I have come to him with varying levels of issues with muscle tightness and stiffness. He is very accommodating with his schedule and is a really nice and supportive person. Every single time I see him, the issue is resolved within a day or two after the session and if not, after another session. Before seeing Terrel I would hope for the best with stretching and ended up with an over use injury.I have not had one since seeing Terrel and even with significantly increasing my mileage over that time. I have also learned quite a bit about how to keep myself from getting these soft-tissue injuries by working with Terrel through proper stretching and being able to identify tight tendons and muscles and learning about my body better with self-massage and foam rolling. Terrel is in my opinion a master at what he does and his work is well worth your time and money. read more

I came in to see Terrel thinking that I would get some work done on some tight spots from a lifestyle of weight lifting and air travel. After 6 years in the military, and 6 years of desks and airplanes in a tech company, life had started to take it's toll on my performance. Terrel does a first rate sports massage, and has an expert knowledge of the body. What really sets the experience apart is the integration of the mind, feedback, and proprioception. I found Terrel to be more a teacher than a masseur, and I have applied what I learned from him to dramatically change my experience with training. This has brought my training into a greater state of practice, and the integrative approach has catalyzed other changes in lifestyle to try to support the maximum possible presence and engagement in the gym. If you have an open mind, and take your training seriously enough to go get a sports massage, you should absolutely consider working with Terrel. It has been a profound experience for which I am sincerely grateful. read more

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. read more

I started working with Terrel in November of 2015. I am a serious runner that runs 90-100 miles/week and I put a lot of work on my body. I began working with Terrel in 2015 to help take my running to the next level. Since working with Terrel, over the past year I have run 2 new personal best times, and placed 9th American at the 2016 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. After taking a few months of very light training to give my mind and body a break, I have returned to hard training again, and have returned to working with Terrel again. I have discovered that as I work harder, the more I benefit from seeing Terrel. Terrel's attention to detail is as close to perfect as it gets. I do believe Terrel is one of the most intelligent, skillful, knowledgeable massage therapists out there. If you want to get the most out of your training or connection to your own body and mind, see Terrel. He's also a good person. -Chris Sloane, professional runner aiming for the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon read more

I found Terrel sports massage business online, and it seemed exactly what I was looking for. I had been preparing, not for any race, but to walk the Camino de Santiago, the 500 mile trek that nearly 300,000 people do each year. As someone in his 73rd year, this would be no little physical feat, and I wanted to be as prepared as possible. In the month before I left, while doing a number of training hikes around DC, Terrel worked me to loosen up my calf muscles. They had gotten so tight that nightly cramping was becoming a problem. Terrel's work was not always a picnic -- he really works the deep tissue -- but I always felt significantly better after one of his sessions. He also became very engaged with my goal, as I imagine he does with others who are preparing for physical challenges. I am currently on the Camino and doing just great with the daily hikes. He prepared me well. I'd recommend Terrel highly for those of any age who are preparing for extensive physical activity. read more

I encountered Terrel in the summer of 2019 while I was training for my first Marine Corps Marathon. I had been having pretty severe knee pain while running and he had been recommended to me by a fellow marathon runner. I explained my situation to Terrel, and he assured me that he would get me to the start of the MCM pain free. Well, Terrel delivered on that promise. After my first session with him, the knee pain I had been struggling with for months was gone entirely. I continued to see Terrel weekly during my training for ongoing aches and pains, and he truly got rid of all of them. Terrel is also a seasoned marathon runner and running coach, and had great advice to offer a first-time marathoner. I genuinely do not think that I would have been able to run the MCM without Terrell's help. I would recommend him to any athlete, but especially to runners. He is professional, knowledgeable and his technique truly works!! read more

I worked with Terrel on a weekly basis for several months earlier this year before I moved away from DC. As a competitive triathlete, I decided to add massage to my routine this season to help with recovery and performance. I couldn't have been happier with the results - I posted very competitive times in my two races despite significantly reduced training volume due to a hectic travel schedule. I owe most of that success to the magic hands of Terrel! In addition to helping with my race performance, I found the weekly massage really helped with chronic low back tightness/pain that I have been dealing with for years and had just chalked up to getting older. Terrel was extremely professional and knowledgeable! Each session started with a brief discussion of what was bothering me so Terrel could focus on those trouble areas. I highly recommend working with Terrel and would have continued had I not left the area! read more

While (mis)training for my first marathon I injured an Achilles' tendon. Not only was the marathon out of the picture, but more importantly I wasn't able to run regularly for almost 5 months. During this period I did extensive physiotherapy (and anti-inflammatory). But every time I pushed a little harder, the pain would come back. I love running, been running for many years, so this was very frustrating. And then I decided to go to Terrel. Had heard good things about him. We've been working together for almost 2 months. After a couple of weeks, I started running again with almost no pain. Things have improved dramatically since then. In the past month, I've averaged about 40 miles a week, and on Sunday I run 20 miles: with zero pain throughout. I'm happy again! I'll run my first marathon in 9 weeks. Terrel is highly skilled and vastly experienced. He's also a super nice guy. I strongly recommend Terrel. read more

Terrel's integrated approach of addressing both the athlete's mind and body during his sessions have made him an indispensable resource for my marathon training. He is knowledgeable and skilled in many massage and active release techniques. I have worked with about a dozen massage therapists in the D.C. area, and I understood after my first visit why he has a reputation as a nationally respected sports masseur. Terrel truly listens to and respects my requests for targeted massage. He is invested in his athletes' success and has been delighted to share the highs and lows of training with me. On my training runs and in races, I catch myself reflecting on Terrel's wisdom about performance, and I have made his mantras part of my run visualizations. I have already become a smarter, stronger athlete with his guidance, and I can only imagine where our work will take us. read more

Terrel is amazing. I was training for my first mountain race experience in the alps and 3 weeks before the event, I suffered complete failure in my calf that prevented me from running more than 15 minutes without limping. I didn't know what to do and the race was in 3 weeks! I called Terrel who completely adjusted his schedule and set up an intensive schedule of massage therapy before I had to leave for travel. It as unbelievable. Within that time, he got me back on my feet running again and I was able to enter and finish the race. I couldn't have done it without Terrel's help. I really believe including massage as part of a long term maintenance program is key to long term success and Terrel is the best at doing this. I really encourage everyone to work with Terrel who knows exactly what to do for you and help you accomplish your goals. read more

I've been a runner and triathlete for the better part of two decades and have worked with Terrel for the past two years. He is by far the best sports massage provider I have known out of several I have tried during this time frame. Terrel understands the athlete's needs and focuses on problem areas that are mutually identified over the span of several sessions, at least once per week. By working with Terrel I have been able eliminate nagging areas of tightness and improve my recovery during intense training blocks that feature multiple intense workout sessions within a given week. I have also been able to avoid recurrence of prior injuries by focusing on those areas with Terrel before the injury develops. If you are a serious athlete or stepping up your training for a major event, I highly recommend Terrel's services to maximize your performance. read more

After not competing in triathlon for almost 10 years due to pain and nagging injuries, Terrel Hale zeroed right in on the source of my problems through a holistic approach involving active release, stretching resources, and training suggestions. When I was down on myself, Terrel also worked with me to develop a healthy approach to training and competition. My body feels better than it has in 10 years and he has re-energized me and inspire me to become a the most mindful, confident, and balanced athlete I can be.. I am beyond excited to be competing in my first Olympic triathlon in a decade on Saturday and I owe him all the credit. If you are serious about becoming (or staying) injury free and want to maximize your potential as a competitor, get started with Terrel. He is world class! read more

I have been working with Terrel for a few months to address a host of chronic physical ailments in my shoulder and upper back caused by muscle imbalances, poor posture etc. Terrel is great to work with and I have experienced a significant decrease in discomfort and pain, coupled with a significant increase in flexibility and range of motion. He has addressed my issues in a comprehensive manner, and Terrel understands that few physical issues can be fixed in isolation, and so also makes sure to address secondary, tertiary, etc. issues that have contributed to my chronic discomfort. I highly recommend Terrel to anybody with long-term muscle tightness or pain - I think you will be pleasantly surprised with how much improvement you'll experience after working with him. read more

Working with Terrel over the last couple of months has greatly improved my training as I build towards my first 100 mile ultramarathon! I am now running higher mileage weeks than previously and running them back to back. So far Terrel has sorted all the minor niggles before they impact on training, focus on specific muscle groups as required. Terrel has also encouraged me to focus on mindset and biofeedback and build this into my training and racing, things I was sort of doing before but not in a structured way. This focus on more than physical training will mean I am much better equipped for my upcoming race. I would highly recommend Georgetown Physical Therapy. read more