I did it! I reached the top!

I went where no osteopath has gone before!!

Spontaneously, I decided to walk to the highest point of the mountain to see my weekends neighborhood in Panama and test my limits. I had no idea it would be so hard though!! The road was steep! I literally cannot stand on my knees now! Going up was hard, but coming down was also hard!!

But finally I reached the top of the mountain where I could no longer go. There was a bit more road ahead actually but it was a private property and I could not get there.

Words fail me to describe how serene and beautiful the area is. This is one of the most beautiful natural areas I have ever seen in my life. Mountains are so majestic and so magical.

In any case, The Traveling Osteopath reached 3700 feet!

I Fell in Love with the Mountains!

:)  :)

This was love at first sight! The mountains take my breath away! I love watching clouds move over mountains and here in the evening and morning you can see that for hours! Every hour the mountains look different. I was expecting the same view all the time but I was wrong. The view is quite dynamic and different at each hour of the day.

The stars last night were the brightest I have ever seen. And the mountain air so clean, feels like pure oxygen. I slept so good last night.

Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, PhD 

The Travelling Osteopath 

First Day in my Weekend Getaway Home in Panama!

I almost died getting to this villa! This is the 2nd time in 2 months that car trouble almost killed me. On top of this mountain, the car lost its break and hand break was used to stop the car but car slid and came to a stop on the edge of the mountain. I totally thought I am going to die! All is well now.

This villa is amazing. I can live here for months in solitude! There is no neighbor, noone near you at all, and it is right on top of one of the highest mountains in Panama. The view is amazing, mountains on three sides and Pacific ocean far away can be seen as well.

It is cool, and there is no air conditioner. It is windy though. I am typing with one hand and holding my laptop with the other hand! :) And the camera I used to take these photos on timer, almost blew away! :)

This is paradise.

Dr Shawn Pourgol

The Traveling Osteopath 

New OCPCC Clinic in Orangeville (248 Clinics worldwide)

We are happy to announce that manual osteopath, Daniel Fow, DOMP represents the Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada.

Daniel is a graduate of the National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada) as well as being a member of the Canadian Union of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners and a number of other associations.

OCPCC (www.osteopathypainclinics.com) was founded in September 2017. With 248 locations in 19 countries across 4 continents (America, Europe, Asia, Africa) OCPCC is now the largest privately owned chronic pain as well as osteopathy clinic in the world.

All manual osteopaths joining OCPCC are chronic pain specialists who have graduated from one of our three schools, the National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada), National University of Medical Sciences (USA), or National University of Medical Sciences (Spain).

Welcome to OCPCC Daniel! We are happy to have you in our team!

Clinic # 248
44 First Street, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 2E2
Phone: 519-939-9386
Dan@fourcardinalpoints.ca

The First OCPCC Clinic in Rasht, Gilan (my childhood hometown)

We are happy to announce that physiotherapist / osteopath, Dr Kamran Athari, DPT, DO represents the Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada (OCPCC) in City of Rasht in Gilan (Iran).

City of Rasht is where OCPCC founder, Dr Shawn Pourgol grew up.

Dr Athari is a graduate of the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) as well as the doctor of osteopathy programs of National University of Medical Sciences (Spain). He is also a member of Iranian Physiotherapy Association and Iranian Osteopathic Association (IrOA).

OCPCC (www.osteopathypainclinics.com) was founded in September 2017. With 247 locations in 19 countries across 4 continents (America, Europe, Asia, Africa) OCPCC is now the largest privately owned chronic pain as well as osteopathy clinic in the world.

All manual osteopaths joining OCPCC are chronic pain specialists who have graduated from one of our three schools, the National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada), National University of Medical Sciences (USA), or National University of Medical Sciences (Spain).

Welcome to OCPCC Dr Athari! We are happy to have you in our team!

Clinic # 247
Mikaeel cross Hafez street, Rasht, Gilan, Iran
Tel.: 98 13 33324383
kamranathari@yahoo.com

اولین کلینیک ما در رشت، شهر دوران کوچکی من

کلینیک آستئوپاتی درمان دردهای مزمن کانادا که من ۲ سال پیش به ثبت رساندم در حال حاضر ۲۴۷ شعبه دارد در ۱۹ کشور از جمله ایران

Lucy is a good Dog!

Done with the work in Florida, time for few days of rest and relaxation in Panama. I hit the beach with Lucy right after I arrived in Panama, Later on I will visit the mountains for a few days.

There is something so special about Panama air. The minute I exit the airplane I fully feel relaxed. Time seems to stand still here, and everything seems so exotic.

$300,000 per year!

On my first day back in Panama I received a message from one of my students who informed me that she is making about $300,000 per year working as a manual osteopath!

This student who is in her twenties is working in a small town in Northern Ontario (Canada) and the way she is going if she invests part of her profit the way I taught her to do in my business lectures she will surely become a millionaire in her thirties.

This is what we do. We improve lives of our students. While most manual osteopaths make about $90,000 per year our alumni on average make about $150,000 annually.

I got so happy today from her financial success that I had to celebrate in a traditional Panamanian restaurant. I love my students. They made me the happiest teacher in the world!

This one is for you my students! :) Cheers!

Dr Shawn Pourgol

The Travelling Osteopath 

The Butterfly Effect: How 70 years ago a cow caused osteopathy to be changed today

I teach my students to give 10% of their income to charity. You never know what kind of change you can cause by helping others. The Butterfly Effect theory indicates that a small localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere.

I believe in the Butterfly Effect theory. Here is a story of Pourgol family demonstrating how helping others can change the world.

My father, Ali Pourgol was born in the village of Kharat Mahale in province of Gilan, Iran. When he was just a kid he lost both parents to a sickness that killed many of the villagers. His relatives took him to the village of Galeshkhe in Gilan so he could live with his aunt. His aunt had her own children living there as well.

For all logic, my father was destined to grow up in that village to become a farmer, and like all other villagers there would not learn to read or write as there was no school there.

For some unknown reason that neither my dad or anyone else found out why, his aunt decided that from all her children my dad deserved to attend school in the city. But school cost money and they did not have any. She had a brown cow that she used for work and milk to feed the family. She sold this caw and saved the money to pay for my father's education.

My father walked four hours everyday even in snow and rain to attend school in the city with great marks. He even passed the national exams for university after finishing high school to become university educated.

His first job as a teacher was in the village of Foshtom where he met my mother, got married and a year later I was born! :)

And you know how I changed osteopathy! :)Creating National Academy of Osteopathy and National University of Medical Sciences, the largest schools of osteopathy, expanding it internationally in 70 countries, creating Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada, with 245 locations in 19 countries., and opening the first ever school of manual osteopathy in the United States.

All this started with a brown cow in a small village in Iran. Millions of people are having a pain free life now thanks to this brown cow and my father's aunt who saw some potential in my father when he was an eight years old kid. 

Help others. You can literally change the world!

Today is my second day back to Panama after leaving Florida. It is time for me to hit the beach and enjoy this wonderful life.

I just had to write this post as I feel so much gratitude for this woman who from all her children chose my father to attend school and as a result I came to this world. Now I enjoy this life so much because of what someone did 70 years ago.

What a beautiful wonderful life!

Dr Shawn Pourgol

The Travelling Osteopath

President of Canadian Manual Osteopathic Association Joins OCPCC in Winnipeg (Manitoba)

We are happy to announce that chiropractor & manual osteopath, Professor George Sandhu, DC, DOMP represents our clinic, the Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada (OCPCC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada). Dr Sandhu is the seventh chiropractor joining OCPCC.

Dr Sandhu has studied chiropractic at the Life Chiropractic College West (California) and osteopathy at the National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada). Dr Sandhu is a faculty member of his alma mater, National Academy of Osteopathy teaching courses in chronic pain management. He is also the first elected president of the newly formed Canadian Manual Osteopathic Association.

OCPCC (www.osteopathypainclinics.com) was founded in September 2017 and became operational in Spring of 2018. With 246 locations in 19 countries across 4 continents (America, Europe, Asia, Africa) OCPCC is now the largest privately owned chronic pain as well as osteopathy clinic in the world.

All manual osteopaths joining OCPCC are chronic pain specialists who have graduated from one of our three schools, the National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada), National University of Medical Sciences (USA), or National University of Medical Sciences (Spain).

We are happy to have you in our team in Winnipeg Dr Sandhu!

Clinic # 246
1239 Manahan Ave
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S8
Canada
Tel.: 204 688 7335
Livewellosteo@gmail.com

One More OCPCC Clinic in London (245 Clinics Worldwide)

We are happy to announce that manual osteopath, Karin A. Lorento, MSc., DOMP represents the Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada (OCPCC) in London, Ontario, Canada.

Karin is a graduate of the National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada) as well as being a member of the Canadian Union of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners and a number of other associations.

OCPCC (www.osteopathypainclinics.com) was founded in September 2017. With 245 locations in 19 countries across 4 continents (America, Europe, Asia, Africa) OCPCC is now the largest privately owned chronic pain as well as osteopathy clinic in the world.

All manual osteopaths joining OCPCC are chronic pain specialists who have graduated from one of our three schools, the National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada), National University of Medical Sciences (USA), or National University of Medical Sciences (Spain).

Welcome to OCPCC Karin! We are happy to have you in our team!

Clinic # 245
45 Alma St, London, ON
Canada N6A 3N3
Ph: 226-234-6017
klorento@gmail.com

Our First OCPCC Clinic in Israel

We are happy to announce that osteopath, Ariel Pelevin, BSc (O) represent the Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada (OCPCC) in Israel. This is our first clinic in Israel.

Ariel is a graduate of the bachelor of science in osteopathy program of National University of Medical Sciences (Spain) as well as a member of the International Osteopathic Association.

OCPCC (www.osteopathypainclinics.com) was founded in September 2017. With 244 locations in 19 countries across 4 continents (America, Europe, Asia, Africa) OCPCC is now the largest privately owned chronic pain as well as osteopathy clinic in the world.

All manual osteopaths joining OCPCC are chronic pain specialists who have graduated from one of our three schools, the National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada), National University of Medical Sciences (USA), or National University of Medical Sciences (Spain).

We are happy to have you in our team in Israel, Ariel!

Clinic # 244
Binyamin 12 Street, 1st floor
City of Rehovot, Israel
Phone: +972559487337
arielultraultra@gmail.com

How to Immigrate to Panama (for Non-Friendly Nations)

Panama is a paradise and it is 3rd most popular recommended country to retire to. One of my students has already moved to Panama. If you are part of the 50 nations Panama considers friendly (such as USA, Canada and most European countries) then all it takes is 6 months and opening a bank account with US$5,000 in it to get your permanent residency in Panama and 5 years later citizenship and a Panamanian passport which allows you to travel to 120 countries without the need for a visa. All you need to do is hire a lawyer (costs about $2,000 to $4,000), open a bank account in Panama and deposit $5,000, obtain a criminal background check with photos and finger prints from the federal police in your country and get it authenticated by the Panama Embassy of your country, take 5 photos, and stay 8 days in Panama City as they need your original passport. The immigration fee to file under this category is $1,000. See below for the list of 50 countries that Panama considers friendly nations.

With a Panamanian passport you can travel to over 120 countries without the need to apply for a visa. For example you can visit Europe without the need to apply for a visa.

Many of our alumni do not reside in one of the 47 nations Panama considers friendly. They however have many other means to obtain permanent residency in Panama if they wish to immigrate to this paradise. Most however require investments of some sort. In certain cases Panama issues work visas but they are hard to obtain and usually given to large multinational employers such as resorts that regularly bring workers from other countries for jobs Panamanian do not wish to do (mainly labor related jobs).

Here are some methods of obtaining permanent residency in Panama. Remember that the investment you do is your own money and you can take it for your own use after you obtain the residency. Government does not take this money. It all belongs to you.

1-Retiree Visa
In this category you must be retired and receive US$1,000 per month from your government or your employer. There is no age requirements. You can live in Panama forever but you cannot become a citizen and you cannot work. The $1,000 monthly pension income must be for life.

2- Solvency Visa
Either put US$300,000 in a bank or buy a property in this amount or a mix of two. You become a permanent resident and 5 years later a citizen.

3- Business Investor Visa
Invest $160,000 in a new or established business in Panama. You operate the business for 6 years, and then after 6 years become a permanent resident and later a citizen.

4-Agricultural Visa
Invest $60,000 in an agriculture or aquaculture business in Panama. You can stay for 6 years in Panama and then can apply for permanent residency.

The list of 50 friendly nations are:

• Great Britain
• Germany
• Argentina
• Australia
• Republic of Korea
• Austria
• Brazil
• Belgium
• Canada
• Spain
• USA
• Slovakia
• France
• Finland
• Netherlands
• Ireland
• Japan
• Norway
• Czech Republic
• Switzerland
• Singapore
• Uruguay
• Chile
• Sweden
• Poland
• Hungary
• Greece
• Portugal
• Croatia
• Estonia
• Lithuania
• Latvia
• Cyprus
• Malta
• Serbia
• Montenegro
• Israel
• Denmark
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Hong Kong
• Luxembourg
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• Andorra
• San Marino
• Taiwan
• Costa Rica
• Mexico
• Paraguay

I found Paradise!

I have found the perfect place on top of the mountains for my weekend silence retreats in Panama. It is 30 minutes away from any signs of civilization and people with perfect solitude, surrounded by views of mountains and nothing but jaguars, toucans, macaws, monkeys and sloths as neighbors. :)

The air is about 10 degrees cooler than Panama City year round. The volcanic soil is so fertile and the food and produce all organic delivered fresh daily from the farmers in the area.

It is indeed paradise. I will visit it in a few weeks when I get back to Panama after I finish my business trip in Florida. And if all goes well it will become my weekend silence retreat to renew and energize my body, mind and spirit.

Regular silence retreats does wonders for you. :)

My new book: Lessons From a Travelling Osteopath

For the past few years I have been working on writing a book called "Lessons From a Travelling Osteopath".

The writing part is finally done! :) I am looking for a publisher now.

We improve lives of our alumni by making them financially successful

So much love for the Travelling Osteopath! :)

I received this heartfelt message from manual osteopath Ali Haghighi, DOMP who works at the Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada. Ali is a graduate of National Academy of Osteopathy and a current doctor of osteopathy student of National University of Medical Sciences.

".....Because of good direction from you I can travel anywhere any time I want. Thank you Dr Pourgol and thank you NAO & NUMSS. I love you and love my life."

Thank you Ali for so much love. You made my day. When I recall your message a rush of gratitude feels my heart. It is such a great feeling when you help others help themselves. And it feels so good when your students love you! :)

I will continue to do my best to improve the lives of my students for the better.

Osteopath vs Manual Osteopath

We use the title of manual osteopath in Ontario as the term "osteopath" is a regulated term in Ontario reserved for osteopathic physicians who are considered medical doctors.

However as I am now a Panamanian/Canadian who resides in Panama, I am legally permitted to call myself an osteopath. :)

Whenever I work in Ontario however I will continue to refer to myself as a manual osteopath. Elsewhere where permitted by the law I will use the title of osteopath.

First OCPCC Clinic in Hong Kong

We are happy to announce that osteopaths, Lam Ping Cheong DOMP, and Chermaine Wong, DOMP represent the Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada (OCPCC) in Hong Kong. This is our first clinic in Hong Kong. We now have 243 clinics worldwide in 18 countries across 4 continents (America, Europe, Asia, Africa).

Lam and Chermaine are both National Academy of Osteopathy alumni.

OCPCC (www.osteopathypainclinics.com) was founded in September 2017. With 243 locations across the world OCPCC is now the largest privately owned chronic pain clinic in the world.

All manual osteopaths joining OCPCC are chronic pain specialists who have graduated from one of our three schools, the National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada), National University of Medical Sciences (USA), or National University of Medical Sciences (Spain).

Welcome to OCPCC! We are happy to have you in our team.

Clinic # 243
9/F, Chung Fung Commercial Building, 12 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Tel.: +852 2366 7199
Sens.fontaine@gmail.com

So Much Love!!!!

I am humbled to see all this love! :)
I just received a message from my American National Academy of Osteopathy student, Kristen Poe who sent me this photo with the following message:
"I have the best professor teaching me today! You honestly give some of the best lectures I’ve ever had. Sometimes an hour goes by and I feel like it’s been 5 minutes!"