Describe your usual method
Tell the practitioner whether you transfer independently, use a transfer board or require assistance from a trained support person. You do not have to demonstrate a risky movement to prove a need. Ask about table height, stability, side clearance and whether the setup can accommodate the method you already use.
Do not assume lifting assistance
A practitioner’s massage qualification does not establish that they can provide every manual transfer or operate your lifting equipment. Discuss responsibilities in advance and involve an appropriate support person if needed. If the necessary equipment or competence is unavailable, change the arrangement. A rushed improvised lift is not a reasonable substitute for planning.
Include the return transfer
Think through getting off the table, dressing and reaching your mobility device as carefully as getting on. Ask where aids and personal items will be placed. Treatment should pause if you become uncomfortable with the transfer plan. An adapted seated appointment may be worth discussing when table transfer creates more difficulty than the planned session can justify.
A practical comparison
Hypothetical planning example: A person usually transfers independently onto a surface at a particular height with clearance on one side. A low table alone will not help if a wall blocks that side. Describing the usual sequence lets the provider check room layout and equipment together. Include the return movement and where the wheelchair will wait. The appointment should not begin with an experiment in a different transfer method simply because the table has already been prepared.
Sources & further reading
Sources support the factual background. Practical planning examples are editorial guidance; they do not establish a provider’s availability.