Osteopathy TV

02/09/2026

Using the Title of “Dr” in the United States ❤️

I am pleased to announce that the National University of Medical Sciences which I founded in 2012, has successfully secured the right for its manual osteopathy graduates to use the professional title of “Dr” in the United States. This recognition allows NUMSS graduates to use the title of Dr before their names while providing full scope manual osteopathic services in the U.S.

The privilege of using the title of “Dr” is granted only to selected graduates of NUMSS who meet specific eligibility requirements. These requirements include active membership in the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners, which I founded in 2018.

I will be leaving Naples today to visit the York University Heights campus of the National Academy of Osteopathy, where I will be teaching and attending the graduation ceremonies. After that, I will travel to Spain to complete required administrative work for our university. I will also be visiting Switzerland before returning home to Naples, Florida in approximately two months.

If you need to see me at NAO, please arrange an appointment with Maria.

Thank you, have a great day and God bless.

Dr. Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, DN, PhD
Osteopath, Naprapath, Chiropractor & Founder of:
National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada, USA)
National University of Medical Sciences (USA, Spain, Panama)
Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada (380 clinics in 34 countries)
Florida Naprapathic Association
World Osteopathy Day

10/21/2025

Florida Naprapathic Examining Board Established

I’m excited to share that the Florida Naprapathic Examining Board has been created & registered to ensure all naprapaths in Florida meet a minimum standard of knowledge and competency before becoming licensed.

This board will oversee the licensing exams and professional standards for naprapaths — helping guarantee that every doctor of naprapathy (DN) is properly trained and qualified to provide safe, effective care to the public.

An examining board is one of the key requirements for obtaining full state licensure and regulation of naprapathic medicine in Florida. It demonstrates that our profession is organized, accountable, and ready to meet the same expectations as other licensed healthcare fields.

This is a major step toward our ultimate goal — making naprapathic medicine a licensed and regulated profession in Florida.

10/21/2025

Exciting News for Naprapathic Education in Florida!

We are happy to announce registration of the Florida Council on Naprapathic Education (FCNE) — a new governing body established to evaluate and accredit schools offering naprapathic programs in Florida

This is an important step forward in the mission to regulate and secure state licensure for the profession of naprapathic medicine. By setting clear standards and ensuring that all Florida naprapathic schools meet a minimum required level of education and training, FCNE can help protect the public, elevate professional standards, and strengthen the future of naprapathy in Florida.

The establishment of FCNE brings the naprapaths one step closer to achieving full state recognition for naprapathic medicine in Florida — something that will benefit every practitioner, student, and patient.

Together, naprapaths are building the foundation for a strong and respected naprapathic community in Florida.

10/08/2025

Osteopathy Regulation in Ontario

I’m happy to share some great news — the Ontario based, College of Registered Manual Osteopaths (CRMO), together with the Coalition for Regulation of Manual Osteopathy in Ontario (CRMOO), has officially started the process of getting manual osteopathy regulated in Ontario.

As many of you know, osteopathy is part of the heritage of Indigenous Peoples. It’s only fitting that Indigenous Peoples lead this effort to protect and preserve that heritage for future generations while protecting people of Ontario.

The College of Registered Manual Osteopaths was founded and is led by Indigenous Peoples. It includes a Council of Elders and is supported by Indigenous Nations and communities across Canada.

Since most manual osteopaths in Ontario are my students, I want to give my full support to this initiative. While osteopathy’s roots belong to Indigenous Peoples, we want this process to be inclusive and open to everyone who practices or studies manual osteopathy.

Here’s what’s been decided by CRMOO so far:
-Free membership:
Any manual osteopath or current student in Canada can join CRMOO free of charge.

-Grandfathering for practitioners:
All practicing manual osteopaths who are members of CRMOO before regulation takes effect will automatically be accepted into the new regulatory college once it’s created.

-Grandfathering for students:
All current and future students of manual osteopathy programs in Canada who join CRMOO before regulation will also be accepted into the new regulatory college when it’s formed.

-Recognition for schools:
Manual osteopathy schools that join CRMOO will have their graduates grandfathered into the new regulatory college.

-Recognition for associations:
Any osteopathy association in Canada that joins CRMOO will have its members grandfathered and accepted into the new regulatory college.

-Representation on the board:
Every participating school and association will have one paid seat on the executive board of the new regulatory college.
In addition, First Nations, Métis Nations, and Inuit Nations that join CRMOO will each have one paid position on the board of the regulatory college as well.

Regulating a new health profession takes time and resources — it involves lawyers, lobbyists, and other professionals. As a member of the Southern Cherokee Nation and the Red Fire People, and a former Minister of Education for the Nation, I see it as my responsibility to help and support this effort.

The following organizations have already joined CRMOO and pledged to contribute funds toward the regulation project:

-National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada, USA)
-National University of Medical Sciences (Spain, USA, Panama)
-Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada
-College of Registered Manual Osteopaths
-American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners
-OSTEO-MASSAGE Health Centers of America
-Canadian Naprapathic Association
-International Osteopathic Association
-Osteopathy Association of Panama
-Iranian Osteopathic Association
-U.S. Council on Osteopathic Manual Practice Education
-American Osteopathic Manual Practice Examining Board
-Indigenous Peoples Association of Osteopathy
-Canadian Manual Osteopathic Association
-Canadian Union of Osteopathic Manual

In the coming weeks, CRMOO will contact all osteopathy schools and associations across Canada to invite them to join.

Manual osteopaths and students are also welcome to join the movement by visiting our official CRMOO Facebook group (link below): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1084799586800929

Let’s work together to make manual osteopathy a regulated profession in Ontario — to protect the public, strengthen our profession, and honor the heritage of the Indigenous Peoples who gave osteopathy to the world.

Dr. Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, DN, PhD
Osteopath, Naprapath, Chiropractor & Founder of:
National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada, USA)
National University of Medical Sciences (USA, Spain, Panama)
Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada (380 clinics in 34 countries)
World Osteopathy Day

08/19/2025

In this video, manual osteopath, naprapath & chiropractor, Dr Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, DN, PhD president of National Academy of Osteopathy, National University of Medical Sciences and Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada reviews some important points to keep in mind before performing any manual osteopathic techniques.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17G6SKcjrd/

07/08/2025

What is the Osteopathic Psychosomatic Technique (OPT)?

Osteopathic Psychosomatic Techniques are manual therapy methods used by some manual osteopaths that aim to address the interconnection between the mind (psyche) and body (soma). These techniques are based on the belief that emotional stress, mental trauma, or unresolved psychological conflicts can manifest as physical tension, pain, or dysfunction in the body—and vice versa.

Key Concepts:
Mind-Body Connection: Emotional states like anxiety, grief, anger, or trauma may cause physical symptoms such as chronic pain, muscle tension, fatigue, or gastrointestinal problems.

Somatic Memory: The idea that the body "remembers" trauma or emotional stress in muscles, fascia, or joints.

Manual Release: Through gentle hands-on techniques, manual osteopaths aim to release these stored tensions to promote emotional and physical healing.

Techniques May Include:
-Cranial osteopathy to calm the nervous system.
-Myofascial release of areas linked to emotional trauma.
-Visceral manipulation for stress-related organ tension (like stomach or liver).
-Dialoguing during treatment, where a practitioner may ask the patient to recall or reflect on emotions while working on tension points.
-Breath and body awareness techniques.

Applications:
-Chronic pain with no clear structural cause
-PTSD or anxiety-related physical symptoms
-Psychosomatic disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia)
-Patients who feel “stuck” emotionally or physically despite other treatments

These techniques are not psychotherapy, but can be complementary to mental health therapy. The goal is to restore harmony between mind and body by treating both as part of a unified system.

National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada, USA) is the only school teaching osteopathic psychosomatic techniques as part of its diploma program. To learn more about the DOMP program offered by NAO please visit www.nationalacademyofosteopathy.com.

Thank you.

06/22/2025

Happy World Osteopathy Day!

Today, we celebrate the healing power of osteopathy—a profession dedicated to restoring health through the art of touch.

Today, we also celebrate a historic milestone in the United States! For the first time, anyone who is not part of a regulated health profession in the U.S. and wishes to obtain a GEHA license to practice as an osteopathic manual practitioner in any of the 50 states must now become a Registered Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (ROMP)—by joining the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners.

Join us in celebrating this beautiful profession and the incredible impact it has on so many lives.

06/09/2025

Scope of Practice for ROMPs (Registered Osteopathic Manual Practitioners) in the United States
Starting June 22nd, 2025—World Osteopathy Day—anyone seeking a GEHA license to practice as an osteopathic manual practitioner in any of the 50 U.S. states must first become a ROMP (Registered Osteopathic Manual Practitioner). This requires membership in the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (AAOMP), the official body responsible for granting the ROMP designation.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1029851839295291&set=a.405320765081738

Scope of Practice of ROMPs in the United States
It is important to note that OMPs are not medical doctors, osteopathic physicians (DOs), or licensed osteopaths. They:
• Do not prescribe medication
• Do not perform surgery
• Do not offer medical diagnoses & medical care
• Do not take or read X-rays
• Do not offer electrotherapy & other physiotherapy modalities
• Do not provide HVLA (manipulation) technique
• Do not offer or perform any other restricted medical acts

Focus on Holistic Care
ROMPs focus on the whole body, aiming to decrease pain, restore flexibility & balance and improve mobility and function through natural, hands-on care. They commonly help clients manage both acute and chronic conditions such as:
• Back and neck pain
• Joint pain in arms or legs
• Muscle tension
• Headaches and migraines
• Postural imbalances

Their goal is to promote the body’s natural ability to heal by improving circulation, reducing pain, inflammation & muscle spasm, improve flexibility and range of motion, and enhancing physical well-being—without the use of drugs or surgery, with hands-on care.

06/08/2025

If you wish to practice as an osteopathic manual practitioner in the United States, you must obtain a GEHA license. To qualify for this license, it is mandatory to hold the title of ROMP – Registered Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. This designation is granted by the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (AAOMP) to its members. This post outlines the steps you need to follow to become a ROMP.
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06/07/2025

Effective June 22, 2025—World Osteopathy Day—any individual seeking a GEHA license to practice as an osteopathic manual practitioner in any of the 50 U.S. states must first obtain the title of Registered Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (ROMP) from the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners.

This mandatory requirement is designed to protect the public by ensuring that all licensed practitioners:
-Hold a recognized credential,
-Have graduated from an accredited institution,
-Adhere to a strict code of ethics, and
-Understand the professional scope of osteopathic manual practice.

The ROMP title also clearly distinguishes osteopathic manual practitioners from osteopathic medical doctors, helping to prevent public confusion and uphold the integrity of both professions.

04/22/2023

CE program Offered at Pourgol Osteopathy Chronic Pain Hospital in Panama - June 05 to June 09, 2023

Pourgol Osteopathy Chronic Pain Hospital in Panama City (Panama) is offering a 5 days continuing education program on Osteoarticular and Muscle Energy Techniques & clinical skills to 4 people. The program is 8 hours per day from Monday June 05 to Friday June 09, 2023.

The CE program is open to students and graduates. Tuition is US$1170 for the full program.

07/31/2021

Osteopathy is a heritage of Indigenous Peoples and we are proud to see creation of the Indigenous Peoples Association of Osteopathy in Canada.

http://www.indigenousosteopathy.org

Indigenous Peoples Association of Osteopathy Who We Are Indigenous Peoples Association of Osteopathy (Canada) is registered as a non-profit organization to promote the profession of manual osteopathy as a heritage of Indigenous Peoples. Osteopathy has roots in the Cherokee Bodyworks and healing arts...