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A BC massage therapist has been suspended for a week for giving a female patient a "whole" chest massage.

According to a July 28 College of Massage Therapists of BC decision, Hyeokcheon (HC) Kwon did not discuss massaging the patient’s whole chest during the initial interview and it was not included in the proposed treatment plan.

However, the regulator says Kwon massaged the woman's breast tissue under the drape without asking whether the patient consented to skin-on-skin massage under the drape.

During the massage, which took place in October last year, the drape also fell off the woman while she was lying face up. It took Kwon about five to 10 seconds to put it back on.

"He continued massaging the patient’s chest while her breasts were exposed, after which he re-draped the patient and continued the massage," the decision says. "He did not apologize for the draping slip, check in with the patient or ask whether the patient wanted to end the massage therapy session."

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The regulator chose to keep the public in the dark and doesn't say where Kwon was working at the time of the incident only stating it took place in Vancouver.

Kwon signed a consent agreement admitting to his conduct.

The College also penalized him for his lack of paperwork.

The decision says he did not have the patient fill out a written consent form, didn't record any verbal consent, and didn't make a note in the draping slip and the exposure of the patient’s breasts in his clinical record. He also amended the record but didn't make a note of it. The decision doesn't say what that amendment was.

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Along with a week's suspension, he has also been mandated to complete coursework on boundaries and consent and have one-on-one instruction with a College advisor.

"Until he has completed the requirements... when treating female patients, he may not treat or otherwise touch the area located on the front side of the body between the clavicles (collarbones) and the ninth ribs," the decision says. He must also place a sign in any treatment room stating this.

Kwon became registered in May 2022, just five months before the incident. The College's website shows he currently works at Aquarius Beauty and Wellness in Vancouver.

The regulator also says he's also on the hook for costs but doesn't give a dollar amount.

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