Mixing massage and tickling requires a fair amount of finesse. A good massage, combined with an appropriate amount of tickling, can be quite enjoyable for both parties. Emphasis on "appropriate." If you go overboard with the tickling, unless the recipient of the same wants it that way, it can ruin the massage and the whole experience. A massage is cathartic and relaxing. Some lees prefer to keep massage and tickling separate. If the over-eager ler can't resist tickling when massaging, it can create a negative experience for the lee and color the whole relationship. The lee may begin to question, "can't you ever touch me without tickling?"
On the other hand, if lee and ler are in sync, there are few things better than a wonderful massage with a little tickling mixed in. I've found the best results come from light tickles, the kind that raise goosebumps and send shivers through the lee. There is an almost limitless mix of these touches, from deep massage to unbearable tickling.
Unless you are just using massage as a pretext for full-on tickling (fun in its own right, but massage really has nothing to do with it), the whole experience is, IMHO, a sensual, even intimate, physical exchange between the two. True massage lies at one end of the spectrum, while tickling lies at the other end.
My most memorable intimate experiences have been a careful blend of massage, caresses, and tickles. On the other hand, a straight-ahead massage punctuated with some tickles can be great fun. Just be aware of how the recipient of your ministrations is reacting.