Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics

Home
Canada
Toronto, ON
Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics

Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada has 344 clinics in 32 countries. It is the largest chronic pain clinic in the world. OCPCC is a non-profit clinic.

Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada (OCPCC) was founded in September 2017 by manual osteopath, Dr. Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, PhD. With 342 locations in 30 countries OCPCC is now the largest privately owned chronic pain in the world. All OCPCC manual osteopaths are chronic pain specialists who have graduated from one of the three schools founded by Dr Pourgol, the National Academy of Oste

opathy (Canada), National University of Medical Sciences (USA), or National University of Medical Sciences (Spain). All our manual osteopaths completed the fellowship program in osteopathic chronic pain management offered by National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada). They are also members of the Canadian Union of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (founded by Dr Pourgol) which made OCPCC the preferred provider of manual osteopathic care to union workers in Canada. All income generated is kept 100% by its manual osteopaths. All OCPCC head office expenses is covered by National Academy of Osteopathy in Canada. To find an OCPCC clinic near you please visit the locations section of OCPCC website www.osteopathypainclinics.com. Thank you.

06/12/2026

Glucosamine, One of the Most Popular Joint Supplements, May Be Linked to Increased Risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Death

Millions of people take glucosamine every year to support joint health and help manage osteoarthritis. However, emerging research suggests there may be reasons for caution.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Florida found that glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher risk of receiving an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis among individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The study also reported a 25% higher risk of death within the study period among glucosamine users.

Researchers suggested that glucosamine may contribute to metabolic processes that could be harmful in individuals already at risk for Alzheimer's disease.

One possible explanation involves a process known as "sugar tagging" (glycosylation), where sugar molecules attach to proteins or fats inside cells. This process is essential for normal cellular function. However, because glucosamine is a sugar-like molecule, researchers believe it may cross the blood-brain barrier and potentially interfere with normal metabolic pathways, leading to excessive sugar tagging and unwanted effects in the brain.

While glucosamine continues to be widely used and may benefit some individuals, these findings highlight the importance of discussing all supplements with your healthcare provider, especially if you have concerns about cognitive health or a family history of Alzheimer's disease.

As always, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of glucosamine supplementation.

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

05/26/2026

Free medical education through Medical Financial?

I started Medical Financial in Canada about 30 years ago, and today it is based in Panama. In the beginning, its purpose was simple—providing interest-free loans to people who needed treatment but could not afford it. Over time, it expanded to support students at the National Academy of Osteopathy, and later evolved into a venture capital arm that helped fund several of my projects.

Now, I’m planning to bring Medical Financial back to its roots—helping people move forward in life. We intend to offer interest-free loans to students who enroll in the MD program we are developing in the Caribbean. As you can imagine, the number of loans will be limited, with priority given to my students at National Academy of Osteopathy and National University of Medical Sciences.

Next month, I will be traveling to the Caribbean to meet with mayors and government officials. This initiative has the potential to create meaningful local employment while also supporting the regional economy by attracting students from around the world.

I have never believed in starting a business just for the sake of it. For me, it has always been about identifying real problems and offering practical solutions. Medical Financial is one of those solutions—helping those who dream of becoming physicians but face financial barriers.

In my experience, when you focus on solving real problems for people, success tends to follow naturally.

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

04/20/2026

Our first teaching clinic and teaching farm will be in California. ❤️

The government has accepted the proposal from National University of Medical Sciences (USA) to establish a free teaching clinic, starting with manual osteopathy and naprapathy, with plans to expand into Indigenous medicine. The clinic will be developed first.

The teaching farm will follow. Students in the new triple doctoral program (naturopathic medicine, manual osteopathy, and Indigenous medicine), along with botanical medicine students, will gain hands-on experience growing and preparing herbs. Some practical classes for other programs may also be held there.

These projects will provide free care to the public while creating jobs—a benefit for both students and the public.

On a lighter note, it would be hard to resist driving through California with California Love and California Dreamin’ playing—especially in a Maserati with a Ferrari California engine. Coincidence? Probably not!

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

04/15/2026

❤️Pourgol Botanical Gardens ❤️

In 2025, National University of Medical Sciences sold Finca de Pourgol. We are now excited to begin a new chapter by finding a similar property in the United States—one that will allow us to continue growing our vision.

Pourgol Botanical Gardens will serve as a beautiful setting for practical classes. Students in the Doctor of Botanical Medicine (DMB), Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND), and Doctor of Indigenous Health Sciences (PhD) programs will have the opportunity to learn about herbs directly in the garden. We also plan to host hands-on technique classes for our manual osteopathy, naprapathy, athletic therapy, and physical therapy programs in this natural environment.

Beyond its academic purpose, the Gardens will be a welcoming space for families—a place where visitors can explore fruit trees from around the world. Open to the public, it will offer a unique and enjoyable experience, allowing people of all ages to connect with nature and discover the diversity of plant life.

We intend to establish Pourgol Botanical Gardens as a charitable organization, encouraging support from those who share our vision. It will serve as both a peaceful destination and an educational center, especially for children, where learning about fruits and nature can happen in a hands-on and meaningful way—a true “United Nations” of fruits.

Profits will be donated to other charitable causes. This project is my way of expressing gratitude to God for the many blessings in my life. The Gardens will also create jobs, support the local community, and contribute to greater awareness of natural health approaches, including Indigenous medicine. We are committed to supporting the growth of Indigenous healing practices and helping make them more accessible to people everywhere.

On a personal note, my love for nature began in childhood, spending summers on my grandfather’s rice farm in the village of Foshtom in Gilan, Iran. Those early experiences shaped my appreciation for the land and continue to inspire me today. Nature brings a sense of peace and has played an important role in my creativity and journey. Through this project, I hope to inspire others to reconnect with nature and experience its importance in their own lives.

There are very few universities with a farm campus, and that makes this vision even more special. It will be a place of learning, connection, and enjoyment—and I very much look forward to the day I can teach osteopathy techniques surrounded by nature and palm trees!

Have a blessed day.

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

04/10/2026

Mandatory ROMP Title in the United States for National Health Licensing ❤️

Dear students and colleagues,

I hope you are all doing well. I wanted to share an important and positive update with you.

As you know, there are currently two national health licensing pathways for osteopathic manual practitioners in the United States: the GEHA Association pathway, which offers a more limited scope of practice, and the Indigenous Health Authority pathway, which provides an expanded scope when combined with naturopathic and Indigenous health education.

Some time ago, we established that obtaining the ROMP (Registered Osteopathic Manual Practitioner) title—issued by the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners—is mandatory for those wishing to join the GEHA Association.

I am very happy to share that this same requirement now applies to the Indigenous Health Authority pathway as well. Graduates of the triple degree program at the National University of Medical Sciences (USA) who wish to join this pathway will also need to obtain the ROMP title.

This is an important step forward in maintaining high standards within our profession. Before awarding the ROMP designation, the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners ensures that all applicants have graduated from an accredited manual osteopathy program and have successfully passed a board examination. This helps ensure that every practitioner meets the necessary level of knowledge, skill, and professionalism to provide safe, ethical care while protecting the public.

Thank you all for your continued dedication and commitment to excellence.

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

04/08/2026

NEW: A Warm Update on Our National U.S. Licensing Pathway with Expanded Scope and “Dr” Title for MANUAL OSTEOPATHY ❤️

Dear colleagues and dear students,

A few years ago, we worked together to create a national pathway that allowed our osteopathic manual practitioners to practice across all 50 states through the GEHA license system. Many of you joined the Guardian Ecclesiastical Holistic Association (GEHA) and obtained your license through the mandatory ROMP designation, and I remain truly grateful for your trust and support in building this pathway together.

While this system has served us well, it came with certain limitations, including a more restricted scope of practice and the inability to use the title “Dr.”

Today, I am very happy to share some exciting news with you. After years of effort, discussions, and careful planning, we now have access to a new national pathway through an Indigenous Health Authority. This pathway allows for an expanded scope of practice and also provides the ability to use the title “Dr.”

This initiative is deeply meaningful. Many healing practices we use today have roots in Indigenous knowledge and traditions. Unfortunately, these contributions have not always received the recognition they deserve. In a small way, this new pathway also helps honor and preserve that heritage while bringing it forward into modern healthcare.

To support this vision, the National University of Medical Sciences (USA) has developed a doctoral program in Indigenous Medicine. Graduates of this program can join the Indigenous Health Authority as Tribal Health Practitioners and practice across the United States with a broader, more integrative scope that includes manual osteopathy and natural therapies.

This opportunity is open to all of our alumni, in all countries. You do not need to be of Indigenous background. The process is straightforward: join the Indigenous Health Authority, obtain your license, and begin practice. Patients simply sign a consent form acknowledging care under this authority, and practitioners clearly identify themselves as Tribal Health Practitioners to ensure transparency.

On a personal note, I have had the honor of being connected with Indigenous communities as honorary member of the Southern Cherokee Nation and the Red Fire people, including serving as their Minister of Education in the past, and I remain committed to building respectful and meaningful collaborations.

At this time, this new pathway is available only to graduates of National University of Medical Sciences (USA), as it requires training in manual osteopathy, Indigenous & naturopathic Medicine, which we are proud to offer as a unique combined program.

I am also pleased to share that our first combined doctoral program in manual osteopathy, Indigenous & naturopathic medicine will begin in September 2026. As a heartfelt thank you for your continued support and for helping us grow into the largest provider of manual osteopathic education worldwide, we will be offering a special scholarship to our alumni for this intake.

Thank you again for being part of this journey 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

03/25/2026

Mandatory Practical Classes in the United States

I apologize if I have not been responding to your messages promptly. I am currently in Seville, Spain, working at the National University of Medical Sciences (Spain), and my days have been quite full.

As you know, we are integrating naturopathic medicine with manual osteopathy to provide our alumni with an expanded scope of practice in the United States. This allows them to offer services such as acupuncture, peptide therapy, herbs and supplements, and therapeutic modalities including laser, traction/distraction, and ultrasound, as well as homeopathy, HVLA techniques, and more. It also enables eligible graduates to use the title “Dr” across all 50 states.

This national pathway, which operates outside traditional state licensure, has been made possible through a federal exempt health authority framework. It allows qualified alumni to use the title “Dr” and practice with an expanded scope nationwide. In 23 states, alumni may practice naturopathic medicine without joining the federal health authority. In the remaining 27 states, joining the federal health authority is required in order to practice with an expanded scope and use the title “Dr.”

To meet the requirements of this federal pathway and certain state expectations, we must introduce mandatory practical, on-site training. These will be short courses in Florida (under 32 hours), typically one week per semester, focusing on osteopathic techniques (including HVLA), acupuncture, and therapeutic modalities as needed. This requirement applies only to students residing in the United States.

Students outside the U.S. may complete the program entirely online. However, if they relocate to the United States in the future, they will be required to complete these practical classes in order to qualify for participation in the federal pathway and related organizations.

As the National University of Medical Sciences (USA) is currently the only institution of its kind in the United States offering this combined pathway, the federal health authority accepts only our graduates at this time. Foreign-trained manual osteopaths who wish to practice in the United States with an expanded scope through this pathway must enroll in NUMSS (USA) to obtain the combined degree in naturopathic medicine and manual osteopathy.

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

03/23/2026

As I mentioned in my previous post, we have decided to implement a system in which osteopathic manual practitioners in the United States are also trained as naturopaths. This will allow for an expanded scope of practice, including therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, electrotherapy, HVLA techniques, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal and nutritional supplementation, peptide therapy, and more. It will also support the use of the title “Dr” and enable practitioners to address a broader range of conditions beyond musculoskeletal care.

To support this vision, we are introducing a dual degree program in naturopathic medicine and manual osteopathy, offered at a tuition lower than enrolling in each program separately. Our goal is to encourage future students to pursue both disciplines in an integrated manner.

The dual degree program is scheduled to begin in September 2026. The naturopathy component will be a four-year, full-time hybrid program, combining online education, in-person training, and apprenticeship.

The curriculum will be released soon, and our website and academic calendar will be updated within the next month.

I have always had a deep appreciation for nature. At one point, I even planned to establish a campus farm in Spain for our Doctor of Botanical Medicine program. Although I ultimately sold the Finca de Pourgol before it was completed, I hope to develop a similar farm in Florida in the future.

Yesterday was a wonderful reminder of that passion. I spent the day with my friends Andrea, Tanya and family at their mountain farm, enjoying fresh oranges, loquats, and bananas straight from the trees. Their daughter Astera, knowing how much I love poppies, picked a beautiful collection for me—a simple but truly meaningful gesture.

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

03/17/2026

The New Scope of Practice for Osteopathic Manual Practitioners in the United States

The American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (AAOMP) was requested by a federal health authority to develop and define a clear and standardized scope of practice for osteopathic manual practitioners affiliated with this authority.

I, Dr. Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, DN, PhD, Founder of AAOMP and the National University of Medical Sciences (USA), developed this scope of practice in consultation with students, staff, faculty members, osteopathic manual practitioners, and other stakeholders.

This document serves as a guiding framework and may be updated, refined, or revised over time as required.

Two distinct scopes of practice have been established. The primary scope applies to all osteopathic manual practitioners and focuses on non-medical, biomechanical, and musculoskeletal care. The second is an expanded scope of practice, which will require additional education, training, and certification. Under this proposed expanded scope, qualified practitioners may be permitted to provide additional services such as ultrasound, electrotherapy, laser therapy, traction, high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) techniques, and guidance on herbal and nutritional supplements, including peptides.

This expanded scope of practice is currently under development and will be submitted for approval. It has not yet been approved.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all those who contributed their insights and feedback. While it is recognized that not all perspectives will align, the final framework reflects the preference of the majority, which supported an orthopedic-style, non-traditional, mechanically focused scope of practice limited to musculoskeletal conditions. The expanded scope, once approved, is intended to broaden this framework to include additional areas of care.

02/28/2026

What I decide here on this frozen lake may shape the future of manual osteopathy in the United States for decades, so I want to proceed carefully. I have already consulted many of my top students and am now seeking broader guidance on creating a scope of practice for Doctors of Osteopathic Manual Practice (DrOMP) in the U.S.

As you know, certain National University of Medical Sciences alumni now have the right to use the title “Dr” through a federal exemption pathway. The American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners has been tasked with developing the official scope of practice, and as its founder, I want to ensure we choose what is best for the profession.

My main concern is whether to include regulated acts such as HVLA techniques, lab testing, diagnostic imaging, and modalities like ultrasound and laser. While legally possible, these could create major conflict and opposition.

I am considering whether it is wiser to start with a simple, safe scope focused on unregulated manual care, similar to Canada, or adopt a broader scope like in the UK, France, and Australia, knowing it may lead to disputes.

Personally, I believe in a niche approach. I feel the profession should focus primarily on musculoskeletal conditions and functional impairments so the public clearly understands our role.
I welcome your thoughts. Your input may help shape the future direction of manual osteopathy in the United States.

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

Address

2-375 Canarctic Drive
Toronto, ON
M3J2P9

Telephone

+14166356550

Website

http://www.osteopathypainclinics.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics:

Shortcuts

Featured

Pablo Munoz
3080 Yonge Street Suite 5034
Rockyshores Counselling