Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner banned from treating female patients: B.C. college

FILE: A massage table is seen in this undated photo. (Shutterstock)

A practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine in B.C.’s Interior is no longer allowed to treat women due to allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward a patient, according to the regulatory body for the profession.

The College of Complementary Health Professionals of B.C., which also oversees massage therapists, chiropractors and naturopaths, says it placed interim limits on Günter Joachim Beisswenger of Grand Forks, B.C., to protect the public during an investigation.

According to the college, a female patient of Beisswenger made a complaint alleging he did not place a drape on her, “massaged a potentially sexualized area of (her) body without consent,” made inappropriate comments and “conducted himself in a manner that demonstrated a lack of professional judgment and respect for boundaries.”

A panel found there are “some factors” that would make Beisswenger likely to commit the alleged conduct again, the college says, so it put the order in place.

As of Dec. 9, Beisswenger is banned from treating female patients, must post at statement on online booking pages and in treatment rooms about the prohibition, must give the college access to his calendar and patient identities, and will be subject to random audits.

“The above-described limits and conditions are proportionate and sufficient to protect the public during the investigation or pending a discipline hearing,” the college wrote.