The College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia has issued an order that a Powell River therapist is prohibited from performing certain treatments on women.
The newly released May 3 order to protect the public said limits have been put on the practice of Stephen Glover, pending an investigation or hearing.
The college said that, when treating female patients, Glover is prohibited from performing treatment on body frontal areas from the shoulders to hips.
“This area includes the anterior abdomen, the ribs and sternum, the muscles pectoralis major and minor, and serratus anterior,” the order said. “This limit includes treating over the draping.”
Glover must post a college-approved notice regarding those limits at all workplaces.
The order comes after the college received a complaint from a female patient of Glover’s on Feb. 13, 2024.
“The inquiry committee panel found that there was a prima facie case of the allegations that, during the provision of massage therapy to the patient, Mr. Glover provided a draping option to the patient that involved the complete exposure of a sensitive area of the patient’s body and, further, that Mr. Glover massaged a sensitive area of the patient’s body,” the order said.
The order said the committee panel considered the allegations to be serious and found that there would be a risk of recurrence if an interim order were not made.
“Therefore, the panel determined that the public must be protected by an interim order during the investigation and pending any discipline hearing,” the order said.
The college said the committee considered what interim measures should be taken.
“Having weighed the different options and the circumstances of this case, and having considered the impact on Mr. Glover, the inquiry committee panel concluded that the above-described limits and conditions are proportionate and sufficient to protect the public during the investigation or pending a discipline hearing,” the order said.
The college stressed the measures taken “pertain to allegations which are and remain unproven unless admitted by a registrant or determined by the discipline committee.”
