International Osteopathic Association

Home
Canada
Toronto, ON
International Osteopathic Association

International Osteopathic Association (IOA) is a self-governing body, established by the manual osteo

The International Osteopathic Association (IOA), based in North York, Ontario, Canada, is an international professional association; with members across North America, Latin America, Africa, Caribbean, Europe, Asia & Australia, that promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care in European style osteopathy, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of osteopathy patients. O

n behalf of its members, IOA lobbies for pro-osteopathy legislation and policies, promotes a positive public image of osteopathy, supports research, protects the public, and offers leadership for the advancement of the osteopathy profession. IOA issues certificates of registration & license numbers to osteopaths who are graduated from accredited osteopathic schools and who have successfully passed osteopathy board exams. IOA members are permitted to practice European style of osteopathy worldwide and to bill insurers when applicable. Osteopaths registered with IOA adhere to the code of ethics and professional guidelines set up by IOA.

09/03/2026

RMO: Helping Protect the Public and Strengthen Manual Osteopathy

Did you know that there are individuals practicing as manual osteopaths in Canada who may not have adequate education or clinical training?

Unfortunately, we have documented cases of individuals calling themselves manual osteopaths after completing only a weekend course, and others after programs involving as little as 46 hours of instruction. We have helped closed a number of such schools over the years but new ones keep opening up. Situations like these highlight the importance of having a clear professional designation that the public can recognize and trust.

The RMO (Registered Manual Osteopath) designation is awarded by the College of Registered Manual Osteopaths (CRMO) and is now required by ACMA, as well as recognized or required by a number of other professional organizations, including the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners and the International Osteopathic Association.

Becoming an RMO is not simply a matter of paying a membership fee. Applicants must meet comprehensive educational and professional standards. These include more than 2,000 hours of osteopathic education, 1,000 hours of academically supervised clinical education, successful completion of written and practical board examinations, no criminal background, having sufficient malpractice insurance, and additional education in important areas such as insurance fraud prevention and sexual abuse prevention.

Our goal is simple: when members of the public see the RMO designation, we want them to understand that the practitioner has met established standards of education, clinical preparation, ethics, and professional competency.

We are also in the process of hiring a public relations firm to help educate Canadians through traditional and social media about the RMO designation. We plan to communicate its meaning to the public, insurance companies, government bodies, and other organizations so that RMO becomes a recognizable indication of a qualified manual osteopath.

Ultimately, the RMO designation is about public protection. Patients deserve to know that the person providing their manual osteopathic care has appropriate education, clinical training, and professional preparation. They deserve access to care that is safe, effective, and ethical.

Osteopathy also has important connections to Indigenous healing traditions and knowledge and it is considered a heritage of Indigenous Peoples. The College of Registered Manual Osteopaths is owned and operated by Indigenous Peoples and has a Council of Elders that provides oversight and guidance to its operations, including its commitment to respecting and protecting Indigenous Peoples' relationship with this profession.

By establishing meaningful standards and helping the public understand what RMO represents, we hope to protect patients while strengthening the credibility, professionalism, and future of manual 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.

08/02/2026

Congratulations to the National Academy of Osteopathy in Canada on its beautiful new campus!

07/09/2026

Cranial osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on approach that aims to support the body's natural ability to heal and maintain balance. Using light, precise techniques, practitioners work to release tension and improve the mobility of the head, spine, and surrounding tissues. Many people report feeling more relaxed, sleeping better, experiencing fewer headaches or jaw problems, and enjoying an overall sense of well-being after treatment.

06/22/2026

Happy World osteopathy Day!

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

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

04/10/2026

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

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

Address

6021 Yonge Street, Suite 390
Toronto, ON
M2M3W2

Website

http://www.internationalosteopathicassociation.org/

Alerts

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

Contact The Business

Send a message to International Osteopathic Association: