National Academy of Osteopathy

09/01/2026

Mandatory RMO Title for ACMA Members Effective January 1, 2027

We are pleased to share an important new development aimed at strengthening the manual osteopathy profession in Canada and supporting high standards of patient care.

RMO – Registered Manual Osteopath is a copyrighted professional title issued by the College of Registered Manual Osteopaths (CRMO). The RMO designation indicates that a manual osteopath has successfully completed rigorous written and practical board examinations, as well as at least 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice, in line with recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).

As part of a broader effort among organizations in the manual osteopathy profession to promote consistent professional standards and public protection, the Canadian Alliance of Alternative Medicine (ACMA) has decided that the RMO designation will become mandatory for all current and new ACMA members effective January 1, 2027.

The goal is simple: to give patients greater confidence that an RMO has met established educational, clinical, and examination standards necessary to provide safe, ethical, and effective manual osteopathic care.

All current ACMA members, as well as those wishing to join ACMA, are encouraged to contact CRMO and begin the registration process. Beginning January 1, 2027, current ACMA members will be required to hold CRMO membership and the RMO designation in order to renew their ACMA membership.

We also have some great news! During September 2026, ACMA will cover the full $2,500 cost of the CRMO board examinations for its current and new members. To benefit from this special grant, eligible applicants must register with CRMO during the month of September.

We extend our sincere appreciation to ACMA President Dr. Sylvain Desforges, an osteopath, chiropractor, naturopath, and graduate of National University of Medical Sciences (Spain), for his dedication and hard work in advancing professional standards and helping protect the Canadian public.

This is an exciting step forward for manual osteopathy in Canada and toward ensuring that patients can more easily identify practitioners who have demonstrated the qualifications and competencies expected of Registered Manual Osteopaths.

Together, we can continue building a stronger, safer, and more respected manual osteopathy profession in Canada.

09/01/2026

What an incredible term it has been! 🎉

Over 100 students attended the York University Heights campus of National Academy of Osteopathy in Toronto this semester, making this our largest term in the past 16 years!

We welcomed our Canadian online students for their two-week hands-on practical training, along with students from the February 2026 campus-based DOMP program.

To all our students: welcome to our osteopathic family! ❤️ We are proud of you, and our commitment to you goes far beyond graduation. We are here to help you become some of the most successful manual osteopaths in the world.

Congratulations on this exciting new chapter! 🎓 🌎

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

08/31/2026

08/30/2026

🎓 A Proud Day at National Academy of Osteopathy! 🎓

Yesterday was Graduation Day at National Academy of Osteopathy (NAO), and what an incredible day it was!

This was our largest class in the past 16 years. More than 60 students attended our two-week practical technique program in Toronto, with students travelling from around the world, including Martinique, China, Hong Kong, Korea and Argentina. About 40 students completed our p1 year campus-based DOMP program, while many more joined us online from across the globe.

I have never signed so many diplomas in one day! 😊

To all our graduates: Congratulations! You worked hard, you made it, and you are now part of our worldwide osteopathic family. We are incredibly proud of you.

And remember—our support does not end with graduation. Once you become part of the NAO family, our support is for life.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓🌎❤️

Dream Big. Take Action.

08/30/2026

🎓 A Proud Day at National Academy of Osteopathy! 🎓

Yesterday was Graduation Day at National Academy of Osteopathy (NAO), and what an incredible day it was!

This was our largest class in the past 16 years. More than 60 students attended our two-week practical technique program in Toronto, with students travelling from around the world, including Martinique, China, Hong Kong, Korea and Argentina. About 40 students completed our p1 year campus-based DOMP program, while many more joined us online from across the globe.

To all our graduates: Congratulations! You worked hard, you made it, and you are now part of our worldwide osteopathic family. We are incredibly proud of you.

And remember—our support does not end with graduation. Once you become part of the NAO family, our support is for life.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓🌎❤️

Dream Big. Take Action.

08/29/2026

Today is Graduation Day! 🎓🎉

This was our largest class in the past 16 years! Over 60 students attended our two-week practical program, about 40 joined our campus-based program, and many more studied with us online from around the world.

I have never signed so many diplomas in one day in my life! 😄🎓

Congratulations to everyone who made it! You are now among some of the best manual osteopaths in the world, and we are incredibly proud of you.

Remember, our support for you is for life. It does not end with your graduation. You will always be part of our osteopathy family at National Academy of Osteopathy. ❤️

Congratulations, graduates! Go out there and make us proud! 🎓🌎

08/29/2026

Today is Graduation Day! 🎓🎉

This was our largest class in the past 16 years! Over 60 students attended our two-week practical program, about 40 joined our campus-based program, and many more studied with us online from around the world.

I have never signed so many diplomas in one day in my life! 😄🎓

Congratulations to everyone who made it! You are now among some of the best manual osteopaths in the world, and we are incredibly proud of you.

Remember, our support for you is for life. It does not end with your graduation. You will always be part of our osteopathy family at National Academy of Osteopathy. ❤️

Congratulations, graduates! Go out there and make us proud! 🎓🌎

Dr Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, DN, PhD

08/28/2026

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to manual osteopath and naprapath Dr. Ali Haghighi, a graduate of the National Academy of Osteopathy (NAO) and National University of Medical Sciences (NUMSS), for generously volunteering as an instructor during our two-week practical program at NAO’s York University Heights campus in Toronto.

Dr. Haghighi is a proud member of the NAO Million Dollar Osteopathy Clinic Club. He operates a highly successful clinic near Newmarket, Ontario, employing more than 20 health professionals, and his clinic has consistently ranked #1 in the area over the past five years.

Before joining NAO, Dr. Haghighi had already graduated from a four-year, part-time osteopathy program, attending classes once a month. He chose to continue his osteopathic education with us to further develop his knowledge, with a particular focus on chronic pain management and business education.

We are proud of Dr. Haghighi’s accomplishments and deeply grateful for the time, experience, and knowledge he shares with our students.

08/26/2026

Tomorrow, Thursday, Dr Pourgol be offering his famous Financial Planning Seminar completely FREE from 12 noon to 1 PM at the York University Heights campus of National Academy of Osteopathy in Toronto!

Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. This special seminar is exclusively for NAO students and alumni.

Don’t miss it. See you tomorrow!