Willow Massage opens in Riverside Athletic Club

"After seeking treatment myself and seeing the benefits, it was something I wanted to do myself for other people," Cantrell said.

Cantrell recently opened Willow Massage LLC, located inside Riverside Athletic Club, 500 S. Center Ave., in Merrill.

Cantrell had worked other jobs his whole life, but started learning from an established therapist two years ago. He initially kept his full-time job while doing massage therapy part-time on weekends.

When new regulations required licensing for massage therapists in 2011, Cantrell found the formal training he needed at the new Globe University in Wausau.

"In December 2010, everybody had to be nationally certified by a recognized board and complete a certain amount of hours of schooling. When Globe University opened it was like a sign to make a change," Cantrell said.

He graduated from Globe University in June 2011. Cantrell is now certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Body Works (NCBTMB).

Making a career change required a spiritual belief, Cantrell said.

"I had more than enough sings telling me that this is what I was intended to do," he said.

He has the support of his wife, Faye, who helps him with the bookkeeping end of his business.

Massage therapy has traditionally been a female-dominated profession, but Cantrell said it is gaining popularity as a vocation among men.

Cantrell is working with some student athletes in Merrill now, and is hoping to get deeper into sports therapy for both serious athletes and those who enjoy playing sports as a hobby.

Massage therapy has numerous benefits, such as relieving stress or as a means of rehabilitation from surgery or injury. Cantrell practices several modalities including Swedish, Thai, deep tissue, stone and sports massage.

Cantrell's office is on the second floor of Riverside Athletic Club. Or, some days he can be found in the club's lobby offering chair massage to introduce people to the benefits of massage.

Willow Massage is open weekdays, or weekends by appointment. The business can be reached at 715-370-2606.