B.C. massage therapist disciplined for using cellphone, vaping while providing treatment

A man smokes an electronic cigarette in Chicago in this April 23, 2014 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Nam Y. Huh, File

A massage therapist from Surrey, B.C., has been disciplined after being caught vaping and using a cellphone while providing treatment to an undercover investigator, according to the professional regulator.

Shaminder Sangha entered into a consent resolution with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of B.C., admitting to the misconduct and agreeing to disciplinary measures including a three-day licence suspension and a permanent prohibition on having a cellphone in the treatment room.

“The conduct represents a serious failure to uphold professional standards intended to protect patient safety and ensure the integrity of care,” the agreement said.

The college sent an undercover investigator to receive treatment from Sangha in December 2024, according to the document, which was posted online this week.

“Without the Investigator’s knowledge or consent, Mr. Sangha used his cellphone on multiple occasions through the Treatment, including using his cellphone with his right hand while massaging the investigator’s back with his left hand,” the agreement said.

Sangha also admitted to using his cellphone while treating patients on “more than one occasion, without their consent and for a purpose that did not involve therapeutic care,” according to the document.

While providing treatment to the investigator, Sangha also “used a vaping product,” the agreement noted, adding that “using a vaping product within the clinical setting is both unprofessional and poses a potential health risk to patients and staff.”

In addition to the suspension and cellphone ban, Sangha also agreed to a formal reprimand and random audits of his practice. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and $750 toward the costs of the college’s investigation.

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