Massages come along way beyond just muscular relief. There are fascinating rhythms that a practitioner can feel or palpate: Lymph movement (and blockage), Craniosacral fluid movement (and blocks), Visceral (organ) movement (or adhesions). I have learned to palpate these things and more. I can palpate muscle releases so that I'm working with your body specifically not just doing a routine.
Combining these skills gives me tools to treat the whole body and be more effective.