National Academy of Osteopathy (NAO), founded in 2010 by manual osteopath, Dr. Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, PhD offers a WHO compliant Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice (the DOMP title is copyrighted by NAO) program at its York University Heights campus in Toronto as well as online worldwide. NAO is the largest school of manual osteopathy in the world with alumni in 72 countries. Most manual osteopaths in Canada are NAO alumni. NAO is the only school of osteopathy with an Award of Excellence from the Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities.
NAO graduates successful manual osteopaths. We focus heavily on chronic pain management. Our students learn more techniques than any other school of osteopathy in Canada and we have more instructors than other schools. Additionally Dr. Pourgol gives over 250 business management lectures to NAO students. These lectures and the ability of our alumni in treating chronic pain are the reason why they enjoy annual income of $150,000 which is $60,000 more than what other manual osteopaths make in Canada.
NAO alumni can join Canadian associations that are accepted by private health insurers such as ACMA, ACTMD and the College of Registered Manual Osteopaths which awards them the title of registered manual osteopath (RMO) that allows them to bill most private health insurers in Canada. They can join many other associations including the Canadian Union of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners which gives them the ability to treat union members across Canada. In the US, our alumni can join the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners and the American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioners (which NAO president is an Advisory Board member) which gives them the ability to practice in all 50 States. Elsewhere alumni can join the International Osteopathic Association and many others.
NAO is affiliated with Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada that operates 378 clinics in 34 countries, including 14 clinics in the United States. All OCPCC manual osteopaths are NAO graduates who have taken the NAO fellowship program in chronic pain management (offered to our DOMP graduates for free).
Our DOMP program is accepted for Canada Students Grants & Loan Program. Qualified students are eligible to receive up to a total amount of $11,900. Eligible students also receive full scholarship to study at NAO under Ontario Works, WORKBC, and other such programs in Canadian provinces. The Canadian Armed Forces, under their VRPSM program offers full scholarships to veterans to study at NAO. First Nations and Métis Nations across Canada offer full scholarships to Indigenous Peoples to study at NAO.
To receive information on how to become a manual osteopath please contact the NAO Registrar at info@nationalacademyofosteopathy.com or 1-416-635-6550.
When you study at NAO you become part of our family. Our support is forever and does not finish with your graduation. Join us, study osteopathy and secure your future.
Our Mission
- Be recognized for excellence in manual osteopathic education;
- Prepare tomorrow’s osteopathic manual practitioners to be competent and successful members of the health care team; and
- Offer dynamic and innovative clinical based scientific manual osteopathy program.
Our Vision
To provide the best possible clinical based scientific manual osteopathic education in order to improve the health of society.
Our Courses
(for students without prior health education)
1 year full time or 2 years part time
( starts each September & March)
Tuition (online on-demand)
$16,335.00
Tuition (campus based)
$16,335.00
(for students with prior health education)
6 months full time or 12 months part time
(starting September & March of each year)
Tuition (online program)
$10,967.00
Tuition (in-campus)
$10,967.00
Campus based students must complete 1000 hours of clinical practice at NAO teaching clinic in Toronto.
Success Guarantee
NAO graduates successful manual osteopaths. We back this with a 100% guarantee.
We are the largest provider of manual osteopathic education in the world with alumni in 72 countries. Most manual osteopaths in Canada are our alumni. NAO is accepted by most osteopathic associations in Canada and US and most Canadian insurers cover osteopathic care provided by our alumni. We are the main provider of osteopathic care in Canada through our clinic, the Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada that has 318 locations in 30 countries.
Our Gallery
Sessional dates 2022-2023
Deadlines for registration
March batch: EXTENDED DEADLINE! February 28
September batch: 15 August
Sessional dates 2022-2023
Program start dates
March batch: 1 March
September batch: 6 September
We would like to thank NAO student, registered manual osteopath, Claire Chung, for referring seven colleagues who enrolled in the September 2024 DOMP class at the National Academy of Osteopathy She let these future manual osteopaths know that Dr Pourgol will be guiding them on their path to financial success. It’s heartening to see that many of our students come from referrals by our alumni, which truly reflects their satisfaction with the education they received at NAO. Here is a message she sent to Dr Pourgol: "Dr. Pourgol, your contributions to people around the world are truly remarkable. I can’t thank you enough, along with your dedicated team, for making the National Academy of Osteopathy such a beautiful and professional institution. I always share with others how you and NAO will help them achieve success."
Hi Dr Pourgol,
I hope you are doing well. I still follow you on FB. I'm so happy for the success of NAO as I was a student there when it all began.
I just wanted to reach out to you to thank you for being a great success mentor to me. I have taken all your teachings and applied them to my life over the years.
Many thanks,
$150,000 Per Year
We teach NAO students over 250 business management lectures to ensure they become wealthy manual osteopaths. Here is what manual osteopath Dani Reid, who practices in London, Ontario sent to NAO president:
"Thank you Dr Pourgol! You are an inspiration to me! Thanks for being the best teacher in the world."
"Your help has been immeasurable. I'm so booked I haven't had time to implement a quarter of your tips from business lectures. Thank you!"
NAO students make $150,000 per year on average, which is $60,000 more than what other manual osteopaths make. We offer a one-year DOMP program, online worldwide or on-campus at our York University Heights campus in Toronto. Alumni can join College of Registered Manual Osteopaths in Canada to become a Registered Manual Osteopath (RMO) with the ability to bill most Canadian extended health plan insurers.
"I am so amazed at everything you are doing for osteopathy. I am only a cousin to AT Still but how proud I am to be related to someone who had such a remarkable impact for people globally. I am sure AT would probably have lots of cheers and congratulations for you!!"
A post by an American student of National Academy of Osteopathy, osteopathic manual practitioner/naprapath, Dr. Shanna Arno, DOMP, DN who practices manual osteopathy and naprapathy in Vancouver, Washington (USA):
"I love that I added Naprapathy to my private practice - it’s awesome to be both a manual osteopath and a naprapath."
Dr. Pourgol received this beautiful postcard (along with some Italian goodies) from Gina Faubert, a National Academy of Osteopathy student:
"A great big thank you to the best professor and your dedicated team. You always go above and beyond! Your generosity, support and commitment to your students is what makes NAO special. So grateful to be a part of this community"
A beautiful post by National Academy of Osteopathy student Joshua Sibley:
The community of NAO is one I am proud to be part of. During my studies I have met amazing Health Professionals that share their love for Manual Osteopathy and this has only encouraged me to go full out into this profession! I am excited to continue my journey into National University of Medical Sciences, but I am most excited about the amazing members that support each other throughout this environment Dr Pourgol has established for us!
A beautiful post from a recent NAO graduate:
I would like to thank National Academy of Osteopathy for offering me a new career path in healthcare. The school has allowed me to take care of my health and related family members' health on an expert level. I have used the techniques I learned in school to alleviate back pain for my brothers, neck mobility for my sister, visceral therapy to assist my father during his terminal illness and many others. The school has improved and expanded my skill set to become a knowledgeable therapist. Now I am on my journey to pursue my own clinic; the Spine Mobility and Osteopathy. NAO also has a strong support group that allows you to continue learning and growing the vision of owning a successful business. Thank you Dr Pourgol for giving me a new journey in my life that I am truly passionate about and truly enjoy.
National Academy of Osteopathy is amazing!!
My experience in NAO was very interesting and I learned alot. The approach used by the founder of NAO, Dr. Pourgol is very unique. Not only you learn alot during the course but your learning never stops after.
Most importantly you grow in many ways, not only as a therapist and practitioner but also as a business person, as a clinic owner, as an educator, even as a better and more positively impactful human.
You learn the skills to help people live pain free but also how to improve your own quality of life. The curriculum is very diverse and always improving that comes with the flexible and scientific approach that keeps getting better year after year. The support of NAO does not stop after graduation and you keep getting genuine support for as long as you are open to it. The skills you learn about managing your clinic, growing your practice and also in investment is extremely valuable.
I went to NAO wanting to learn a very specific aspect of Osteopathy but it opened my mind into so many tools Osteopathy offers us as practitioners to help others.
I would say NAO is a great place to start or continue your journey and you become a part of a global family that is very unique, modern and filled with interesting people you meet and things that you learn to always keep you ahead and make a better version of yourself.
A beautiful post from a student of National Academy of Osteopathy.
Thank you so much NAO
My time spent with NAO was a very enjoyable experience . I found online was very beneficial as I could see the classes as many times as I wanted. And whenever I asked questions they were always answered. The forums and private groups all the students worked to help one another. It was a great learning experience. I enjoyed it so much I went on to NUMSS and continued studies. That also was equally as great and just built upon the knowledge previous . The business classes are extremely beneficial and after graduation whenever I had questions or issues the private groups and staff were always there to help. I plan to continue learning with them as now they are like family . Even currently I continue to improve my work as an osteopath.
A message received from Karin Ann, a National Academy of Osteopathy student who practices in London, Ontario:
Hi Dr. Pourgol:
I was nominated as the Gold winner in the best manual osteopathy clinic in London (Ontario). NAO graduates are taking London by storm!!! ❤️
There is a clinic belonging to graduates of Canadian Academy of Osteopathy a block from me and in the last 90 days, 19 of their patients have found me and switched to my care Completely unprompted by me. They're just finding I have higher empathy, I'm kind, I get quicker and longer results and overall provide better care. ❤️
I cannot thank you enough 🙏🏼🙏🏼 You have literally changed the trajectory of my life.
New NAO Graduate Fully Booked Making $840 per day!
It was so nice to meet one of my students yesterday. Dr. Alireza Saadati, RT, PT, OT, DOMP is an Iranian occupational therapist who moved to Canada a few years ago. He recently graduated from the DOMP program of National Academy of Osteopathy. As a recent NAO graduate, he is enjoying a fully booked osteopathy practice seeing 6 patients a day at $140 per hour, making $840 per day (about $20,000 per month or $240,000 per year). He attributes his success to my 250 business lectures as well as the ability of osteopathy in treating chronic pain. This is what separates NAO from other schools. Any school can teach osteopathy. Noone can graduate successful manual osteopaths like NAO. This is because I teach my students all I know about business.
For an appointment with Dr Saadati please call 647-913-4444 or email him at drali@osteo-rehab.ca.
Join us. Study osteopathy at NAO and secure your future. Dr. Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, PhD
RMO has 3 Months Waiting List!
Dr. Pourgol; I just wanted to say thank you.
My daughter, Emma is a student at NAO, she loves it. She practices on my patients and they’ve been very impressed with her skill and knowledge. Emma is also autistic, actually, she was none verbal until around seven years old. The pediatrician said she, when asked what I could expect her life to be, replied she would have to live in a group home… You wouldn’t know it today though. She’s so incredibly talented. The sky truly is the limit. Anyway, I wanted to thank you because I don’t know if she would have gotten this opportunity elsewhere. Working as a manual osteopath increases her earning potential and her quality of life. She will be independent and will one day take over the business. Which, by the way is thriving. I have a three months waitlist and patients that drive from St. Catherine’s, Oakville, Hamilton, Guelph and Collingwood to see us! I want to share Emma’s story because honestly anything is possible. I’m so grateful to NAO not only for Emma’s opportunities but for mine, my business grew exponentially and I now get referrals from physicians. Thank you again!
PS. 50 percent of my patient base is on cash basis as you recommended!"
? Association President Booked Solid for 6 Months! Ten years of pain gone in one visit! Patient registers at NAO to become a manual osteopath himself! ?
"I would like to personally thank Dr Pourgol and National Academy of Osteopathy for having this DOMP program. Osteopathy is my path and my purpose. Everyday I am so grateful to make positive changes in my patients. I have been booking up to 6 months in advance without any formal advertising, only through verbal referrals from my patients. The highest compliment a practitioner can receive from a patient is when their severe chronic cervical pain persistent for over 10 years, significantly reduced in one session. And a week later the patient decides to join NAO to become a Manual Osteopath! And this patient tried many therapies over his 10 year struggle and found minimal relief. And that's just one story, I have convinced many to join our profession and I will continue to do so because in the world we are living in now, it needs a lot of healing."
What makes our education different is our 250 business management lectures. They are the reason why National Academy of Osteopathy graduates make $150,000 per year which is $60,000 more than other manual osteopaths. Here is a beautiful letter from a National Academy of Osteopathy student in Brampton, Ontario: Dr. Pourgol, I just wanted to thank you for your business lectures, I’ve learned so much from them & you changed my viewpoint of everything in life in a positive way! You are not just an osteopathy teacher and doctor. You are also a psychologist, motivational speaker, lawyer, accountant, stand up comedian, all in one. So thank you! Take care Doctor!
Completely Booked for 2020. Booking appointments for 2021! NAO president, Dr. Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, PhD received this message from an NAO student, manual osteopath, Karin Ann Lorento, MSc., DOMP (a recent graduate of National Academy of Osteopathy) who practices in London, Ontario (Canada): "Dr Pourgol; Thanks to all your business lectures, I'm currently booking into 2021 ?? Not a single time spot left in 2020!" We graduate successful manual osteopaths because we teach them everything we know about business in over 250 business management lectures. That is why NAO students have annual gross income of $150,000 which is $60,000 higher than what other manual osteopaths make.
? US$300 PER HOUR & 4 WEEKS WAITING LIST! ? NAO student, Tanja Seagraves, CMT, DOMP is an osteopathic manual practitioner & massage therapist in Thousand Oaks, California. She just told Dr Pourgol that her hourly fees is US$300 per hour and that she has a month log waiting list! We are so happy for her. Hearing from successful wealthy students makes us so happy. There are many fine schools of osteopathy. However if you wish to become a wealthy manual osteopath, there is only National Academy of Osteopathy! We graduate successful manual osteopaths because we teach them everything we know about business in over 200 business lectures they receive as part of their osteopathic education. Tanja , we are so proud of you.
#manualosteopathy #osteopath #manualosteopath #nationalacademyofosteopathy #NAO #pourgol #osteopathy #iloveosteopathy
3 Months Waiting List! You can study osteopathy in many schools across Canada. However to become a successful manual osteopath, there is only National Academy of Osteopathy! Our DOMP program has over 200 business management lectures. These lectures are the reason why NAO graduates make $150,000 per year, $60,000 more than other manual osteopaths. Here is a letter from Teresa Nieman, DOMP, RMO one of our graduates in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia who has a fully booked practice after graduating from NAO: Greetings Dr. Pourgol! I’ve been practicing osteopathy for four years now. I am good at what I do and I represent NAO well. I AM BOOKED THREE MONTHS IN ADVANCE! Thank you! Teresa
A post published on LinkedIn by NAO student, osteopath, Hep (Alvin) Rebellon who works in Dubai, UAE.
Previously, mainstream osteopathic schools and their alumni thought of Dr. Pourgol's vision for online osteopathic education was inadequate by providing its schools curriculum all online. In my opinion those schools are not visionaries as they failed to harness the full potential of digital learning in their osteopathic educational programs and have chosen to stay with the traditional classroom learning setting. Dr. Pourgol is leading by years away in providing online osteopathy education. Honestly, I chose to study under Dr. Pourgol’s institutions (National Academy of Osteopathy & then National University of Medical Sciences) due to their proactive effort to uplift the osteopathic profession, their continuous innovations in education and learning platform, the professional support that they provide to their graduates, and to get a cost-effective education (which other schools are shying away from). Kudos to Dr. Pourgol and the faculty in Canada. Dr Pourgol, Thank you for your vision. Please do share this in your network - so more people can have the privilege to benefit from your vision, knowledge, experiences and teachings. Many thanks Dr. Pourgol. Looking forward to meet you in person one day.
"The course (DOMP program offered by National Academy of Osteopathy) was well organized and easy to follow. Studying at my own pace was excellent. The Practical was well taught and highly valuable. The expanded opportunities well be a good challenge. As a Chiropractor I find these procedures as effective with no possibility of after effects. More Chiropractors should get on board "
Student Testimonial from Alberta, Canada
" ……………I'd like to also add that I've taken many, many courses across a variety of industries in as many different countries, and never have I come across a lecturer that is so sincerely determined to set his students up for success in both business and life as Dr Pourgol. I'm sure I speak on behalf of many students who feel the same. We are very fortunate to have such a mentor. Thank you Dr Pourgol. "
Student Testimonial from Bermuda
Today's salute goes to .......drum roll please.....Dr.Habibinia of NAO teaching and endlessly complex subject of clinical nutrition and breaking it down to practical, interesting and useful format with a lot of color and charts for all of us visual learners...there is a real skill in conveying information ...thanks Dr. You are appreciated.
A post by Dr Bashar Alazzam, MD, DOMP, a recent graduate of National Academy of Osteopathy (from London, Ontario).
"Thank you so much Dr Shahin Pourgol for giving me the honor to be one of your student at national academy of osteopathy.... It was a big challenge for me, changing my field of helping patients from Anaesthesia and intensive care dealing with patients who want to sleep in Operation Rooms or already in Coma in ICU , and now becoming a manual osteopathy treating awake patients.... Thank God and Thanks everybody who makes this dream come true, all teachers at NAO; Dr. Shahin Pourgol, Dr Oleg Bagrin, Dr Abazar Habibinia, Dr Daniel Nuzum, Pamela Crosson-Fournier, & Nicholas Zancai All the nice and supper kind ladies and staff at NAO , thank you sOoOoOoOo much."
A post from Dr Mercedeh, one of our students at National Academy of Osteopathy
Dr Mercedeh, one of our students at National Academy of Osteopathy who is a physician, a black belt martial artist and now a manual osteopath in Toronto!
"I love Osteopathy and NAO. Dr. Pourgol you changed my life. Thank you"
A post from NAO graduate, Dr Mercedeh Ghazi, MD, DOMP written for National Academy of Osteopathy technique instructor, Nizholas Zancai, DOMP
"Dear Nicholas,
I would like to thank you for all the encouragement you have given me during the course. I cannot thank you enough for your endless support and effort. I loved every wonderful minute of NAO and always came home full of enthusiasm and motivation. You are the best TA!"
A post from NAO graduate Dani Reid, DOMP (August 2016) to Dr Pourgol
"Thank you, you are the best teacher in the world!"
A letter from one of our students in Mexico Dear Dr. Pourgol
I first want to thank you for the great lectures the school has. I've passed through other Osteopathy schools and none of them have taught me how to become a real osteopath as this school does. I live in México City, single mom of two boys, and osteopathy has become very important to me, a way of life.
I'm very proud to be part of the best osteopaths in the world.
A post by our student Jodi, who is a Canadian Fitness Champion
When I started this program (diploma in osteopathic manual practice) I wasn't sure if I could do it, but honestly my school is the best and the amount of knowledge I have gained is immeasurable! National Academy of Osteopathy has the best profs, staff and alumni that are always available to answer questions.
Osteopathy is such an amazing profession!! I am so excited to embark on this next chapter and coincide it with Lean Aesthetics.
A post from kinesiologist and osteopathy student, Christina Anderson from Beeton, Ontario
"Dr. Pourgol is the best teacher I have ever had the pleasure to know. I have never met such an intelligent man. He is such a positive influence in my life and I feel grateful everyday to have someone with such influence guiding me."
"Choosing National Academy of Osteopathy was an easy choice. Dr. Pourgol and staff are caring and they go to extreme lengths to make sure you know the techniques, hand placements, body positions, and theory behind our work. I applaud that the school, professors, and assistants want you to succeed through advice, various business management lectures, and practical skills shown by example. "
"The National Academy of Osteopathy has been an excellent experience thus far! Hands down, this is the best practical training I have received. Dr. Pourgol does a great job demonstrating the techniques on each of the students so that we can experience the technique first hand and know what we are supposed to feel. This allows us to communicate with the other students to see how our technique compares to the instructors. I am really enjoying the program and I look forward to going into class each day! "
"The institution has an outstanding reputation for their commitment to their students, their ability to produce successful leading manual osteopaths, and to the global development of the field of osteopathy. My experience studying osteopathy with the NAO thus far has been wonderful. The amount that I have learned in a few short months is incredible, and I attribute much of that to the excellent instructors and resources I have been provided with through the academy."
