The Hidden Drivers of Arthritis: Beyond wear and tear

This course...

is: an online live course

is for: nutritional therapy practitioners, nutritionists, dietitians, naturopaths, other healthcare professionals, and final-year nutrition students interested in applying a functional medicine lens to musculoskeletal and immune health. It is ideal for those looking to explore how nutrients, food, and lifestyle factors influence systemic inflammation, joint integrity, and immune activation—while applying findings in a personalised, root-cause approach that recognises individual complexity.

is led by: VJ Hamilton, mBANT, BSc (immunology), IFMCP

spans: 1 day

provides: ION CPD 5 hours, BANT CPD 5 hours, NNA CPD 5 hours

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
This course reframes arthritis as an inflammatory condition, not just a result of wear and tear. We explore the hidden internal drivers—from immune dysfunction to gut health. Gain clinical tools to address the root causes of joint pain and degeneration.

This course focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of arthritis through a functional and systems-based lens. Rather than viewing joint damage as a simple result of ageing or mechanical stress, we explore how chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, microbiome imbalance, and metabolic dysfunction play key roles. You’ll gain insight into both osteo- and autoimmune arthritis, with a focus on internal triggers and personalised interventions.

Practitioners often struggle to connect joint symptoms with systemic imbalances, especially when conventional models separate osteoarthritis from immune-driven conditions. It can be challenging to identify root causes, personalise support, and go beyond symptomatic relief. This course provides a clear framework for assessing inflammatory drivers, interpreting relevant markers, and implementing targeted nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support clients with arthritis more effectively.

This course will explore the underlying inflammatory mechanisms that contribute to both osteoarthritis and autoimmune-driven joint conditions. It will then delve into the role of gut health, immune activation, detoxification, and metabolic stress in arthritis progression. We’ll also examine cellular dysfunction and connective tissue fragility—particularly in conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or hypermobility, where ‘leaky joints’ mirror patterns of leaky gut and barrier breakdown.

You’ll learn how to differentiate between inflammatory and mechanical presentations, interpret key functional test markers, and design personalised protocols.

Examples of the questions it will answer

• How does the gut-joint axis influence arthritis?
• What role do cytokines, histamine, or food sensitivities play?
• How can I address arthritis in clients without a formal autoimmune diagnosis?

Finally, it will provide clinical tools, supplement strategies, and real-world case examples to enhance your confidence in supporting clients with joint pain from the inside out.

What will I learn?

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Create impactful, personalised protocols that address the underlying drivers of arthritis, not just joint symptoms.
• Apply emerging research on inflammation, immune pathways, and the gut-joint axis to your clinical approach.
• Choose relevant functional tests (e.g. GI, organic acids, nutrient markers) and targeted supplements with greater confidence.
• Avoid common pitfalls such as overlooking subclinical inflammation, barrier dysfunction, or connective tissue fragility.
• Feel more confident in supporting clients with arthritis—including those with hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos, or undiagnosed autoimmune patterns—by addressing root causes and systemic imbalances.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

About the presenter:

This course is led by Victoria (VJ) Hamilton BSc, IFMCP, mBANT, CNHC, a Registered Nutritionist and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. With a background in Biochemistry and Immunology (BSc Medical Science), VJ is the founder of The Autoimmune Nutrition Clinic and is widely recognised as The Autoimmunity Nutritionist.
She specialises in supporting complex cases of autoimmune disease, including arthritis, skin conditions, chronic fatigue, and gut-related issues, using a root-cause, personalised approach. Having reversed her own autoimmune conditions—alopecia areata, psoriasis, and post-viral fatigue—VJ brings both clinical insight and lived experience to her practice.
VJ is the creator of the Root Reset™ Protocol, a targeted programme designed to support hair regrowth and recovery in clients with alopecia and other autoimmune-related hair loss conditions. She also hosts The Autoimmune RESET® Podcast, sharing expert insights on immune health, nutrition science, and clinical case studies.
Her work has been featured in Vogue, GQ, Cosmopolitan, The Telegraph, and she is co-author of Empowerment in Health & Wellness. VJ is an experienced speaker, regularly delivering trainings, webinars, and corporate health events on inflammation, menopause, arthritis, and autoimmune nutrition.