A registered massage therapist based in Vancouver has been prohibited from treating female patients after allegedly “palpating” a woman’s breast, according to the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC).
The CCHPBC says David St. Loe must abide by a number of strict conditions, including posting signage in his practice and on online booking pages saying he is not allowed to treat female patients.
The CCHPBC says St. Loe admitted to handling a patient’s breast during a Jan. 3, 2025, treatment, failing to communicate the intent and rationale of doing so, and failing to obtain her informed consent. It says he performed the action “in a manner more consistent with a breast examination than with a recognized therapeutic massage technique” and “in a way that was not consistent with therapeutic intent.”
“The conduct represents a fundamental disregard for professional boundaries, informed consent, and the principles of patient-centered care,” the CCHPBC said in its resolution document, published in August.
“Palpating a patient’s breasts without clinical justification or consent, and in a manner inconsistent with therapeutic intent, undermines public trust, compromises patient safety, and violates the core responsibilities of a regulated health professional.”
St. Loe also admitted to sharing overly personal details about his life, including discussing the topics of Viagra and marijuana.
Earlier this year, the organization said an Inquiry Committee panel found there were factors that render the alleged conduct likely to recur.
As part of his conditions, St. Loe must provide the CCHPBC with a report every Friday by 6 p.m. listing the name and contact information for each patient he treated in the past week.