A massage therapist in Vancouver is banned from treating female clients after an incident involving inappropriate handling of a patient’s breast. The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) has imposed strict conditions on David St. Loe, including prohibiting him from treating women and requiring him to display notices in his practice and online booking platforms.
According to the CCHPBC, St. Loe confessed to touching a patient’s breast without proper communication, consent, or therapeutic justification during a session in January 2025. The college stated that his actions were more akin to a breast examination than a legitimate massage technique and were against the principles of patient-centered care and professional boundaries.
In addition to the concerning incident, St. Loe was found to have shared personal information about topics like Viagra and marijuana, further raising red flags about his conduct. The CCHPBC emphasized the importance of maintaining patient trust, safety, and adhering to professional responsibilities as a regulated health practitioner.
Following an investigation, the organization’s Inquiry Committee determined that there was a risk of similar behavior occurring in the future. As part of his restrictions, St. Loe is required to submit a weekly report listing the patients he treated in the past week to the CCHPBC.