Did you know that it takes 2000 pounds of pressure per square inch to get through to a muscle? So if you think your therapist is reaching your muscle, you need to realize that the therapist works with the fascia in the body. Fascia is everywhere and surrounds the muscle.
Massage may work as well as drugs like aspirin or Advil in easing pain from intense exercise. Check out a recent article on time.com http://healthland.time.com/2012/02/02/how-massage-helps-heal-muscles-and-relieve-pain/#ixzz1lSEIghM6