Two acupuncturists said they were working on chakras. The state called it molestation
An acupuncturist in Coral Springs and one in Pinellas Park have had their licenses restricted for molesting female patients, the Florida Department of Health says.
Coral Springs’ Sergio Garcia and Pinellas Park’s Stephen Belmore each claimed he was helping his female patient’s chakra.
Belmore’s emergency restriction order (ERO) says on Jan. 3, a 36-year-old woman came to his Blue Dragon Healing Center suffering from chronic migraines and pain. During her appointments, she wore a gown and underwear.
On Jan. 13, 16 and 20, the ERO reads, Belmore “touched (her) vaginal area over her underwear with his hand.” The ERO says he went farther on Jan. 23 by sliding his finger under her underwear and “penetrated her vagina.”
His explanation when she demanded one the next day: “Dr. Belmore told (her) he touched her vagina to help her release tension and energy since she did not have a romantic partner.”
The ERO said Belmore stayed on that message when speaking with a Department of Health investigator in April.
“Dr. Belmore stated that on Jan. 23, 2020, he “observed” that (his patient) had a lot of sexual energy in the reproductive area,” the ERO said. “Dr. Belmore admitted that he attempted to “ground (her) chakra” and digitally penetrated her vagina, but claimed that it was the result of “accidental slippage.” Dr. Belmore admitted that he provided similar treatment to other patients in the past and similar incidents have happened.”
Garcia’s ERO says on April 24 after putting needles in the patient, whom he had remove her pants, he told her “he was providing a tantric massage and massaged (her) vaginal and breast areas.”
The ERO says Garcia twice put a finger inside his patient’s vagina without permission.
“Dr. Garcia told (her) he was removing blockages in (her) chakras, then kissed her on the forehead,” the ERO reads.
The ERO makes clear none of the activity involving the vaginal and breast areas are within “the scope of practice of acupuncture and are not recognized for any diagnostic or treatment purpose.”
As with Belmore, Garcia’s license restriction prohibits women clients.
Garcia was charged on July 1 with sexual battery. There are no charges listed for Belmore in the Pinellas County court system.
This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Two acupuncturists said they were working on chakras. The state called it molestation."
