Full Stop Oasis and Massage

Erica Schmertman offers people a variety of massage options at Full Stop Oasis and Massage in Shawano.

116 N. Main Street, Shawano
(Located on the second floor at Total Fitness).
715-851-8044

Erica Schmertman always had an interest in aircraft and flying. She also knew she wanted a career where she could make a positive difference in people’s lives. In the end, making a difference won out.
“For the past five years, I attended the EAA AirVenture Event in Oshkosh,” she said. “My favorite movie was ‘Top Gun’ and my biggest dream at the time was to one day become a commercial pilot. Naturally, the program I chose (at Fox Valley Technical College) was aviation. I was in that program for two years until the funds started to run low, and I decided to put it on hold. Aviation school can easily cost over $100,000.”
She then decided to try culinary arts, another interest she had, but only attended that program for one semester before deciding it wasn’t for her.
“I didn’t realize massage therapy was the perfect fit for me until I looked back at something that had been part of my life for years,” Schmertman said. “Growing up, my mom was always asking me to massage her. It became something I was naturally good at. Seeing the difference I made for someone I cared about made me realize this wasn’t just something I enjoyed doing; it was something I could build a career around.”
In August 2025, she graduated from Fox Valley Technical College after completing the eight-month, 600-hour education and hands-on clinical training required to become licensed in Wisconsin. In October, she opened Full Stop Oasis and Massage in Shawano where she rents space inside the Total Fitness building at 116 N. Main St.
“During school, I worked with clients in the student clinic under the guidance of experienced instructors, which gave me the confidence to begin working with clients on my own,” she said. “Even though I’m still early in my career, I believe massage therapy is a profession where you never stop learning. I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills and continue my education.”
Her services, geared to help people decrease pain, tightness and rejuvenate their wellbeing include Swedish massage, myofascial release and target massage.
Swedish massage, she said, is the type of massage most people think of when they picture a relaxing massage with long, flowing strokes and gentle kneading to help muscles relax, improve circulation and ease tension.
“People often book a Swedish massage when they’re feeling stressed, have sore muscles from everyday life or simply want to take some time for themselves.” she said. “It’s a great option for anyone looking to relax and recharge.”
Myofascial release offers a gentle, hands-on technique that focuses on the connective tissue that surrounds and supports a person’s muscles.
“When that tissue becomes tight or restricted, it can lead to pain, stiffness and limited movement,” Schmertman said. “People often choose myofascial release if they’re dealing with chronic pain, old injuries or areas of tightness that just won’t seem to go away. The goal is to help release those restrictions, improve mobility, reduce pain and help your body move more freely and comfortably.”
The other service she provides is a target massage that is focused on treating specific areas of pain, tightness or discomfort.
“It’s a great option for people dealing with things such as neck or back pain, headaches, sore shoulders, sports injuries or muscle tension from work or repetitive movements,” she said. “The goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility, relieve muscle tension and help you get back to doing the things you enjoy with greater comfort and less discomfort.”
Since graduating, she has added to her skills by taking continuing education courses in Green Bay, Madison and St. Paul.
“With these new skills, I hope to implement some of these techniques into my services,” she said. “I also am planning on becoming certified in lymphatic drainage in the near future.”
She explains that the lymphatic system is the body’s natural drainage network that collects excess fluid, waste and microbes from tissues and filters them through lymph nodes.
“This system can become damaged by cancer, surgery, radiation therapy, infections, injuries and certain medical conditions causing fluid to build up and lead to swelling known as lymphedema,” she said. “Lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique that helps move this fluid, reducing swelling, improving circulation of lymph fluid, relieving discomfort and feelings of heaviness, supporting mobility and range of motion and lowering the risk of complications such as skin infections.”
Along with having her own business in Shawano, she also works part time at the Salt Cove, a wellness spa in Waupaca, and visits local businesses to provide chair massages for employees.
“I bring a massage chair right to the workplace, and employees receive short massages,” she said. “Chair massage focuses on the neck, shoulders, and back, which are areas where many people carry stress from sitting at a desk or doing repetitive work. Even a 15-minute session can make a big difference in how someone feels for the rest of the day.”
Starting her own business has been a challenge,” Schmertman said.
“You’re not just serving as a massage therapist; you’re also figuring out marketing, scheduling, finances and everything else that comes with owning a business,” she said.
“As my business grows, I’d love to expand my partnerships with local companies and continue offering workplace wellness services,” she said. ‘More than anything, I just want to keep helping people through my services. The best part of my job is seeing someone come in stressed, sore, or frustrated and watching them leave feeling lighter, moving better and smiling. Knowing I was able to make someone’s day a little easier is what makes this career so rewarding for me.”