Integrative Approaches to Bone Hyperplasia — Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

Course duration: 8.5 hours (8.5 CPD)

Format: 8.5 Online classes

Target learners: Acupuncturists, TCM practitioners, physiotherapists, massage/manual therapists, healthcare students, and patients who want structured education.

Important clinical note: In this course, “bone hyperplasia” mainly refers to osteophytes/bone spurs, often related to osteoarthritis, spinal spondylosis, heel spurs, and degenerative joint change. Bone spurs are extra bony growths, usually caused by joint/tissue stress, osteoarthritis, ageing, repetitive strain, or injury. They often cause no symptoms, but may cause pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, or nerve compression depending on location.

Class 1: Understanding Bone Hyperplasia — Causes, Symptoms, and Clinical Meaning (69 mins)

Class 2: Western Medicine Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment (87 mins)

Course Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, learners should be able to:  

1. Explain what bone hyperplasia/osteophytes are from both Western medicine and TCM perspectives.
2. Identify common causes, risk factors, symptoms, and red flags.
3. Understand effective Western diagnosis, including when imaging is useful and when referral is needed.
4. Explain common Western treatments: exercise, weight management, topical/oral NSAIDs, steroid injection, physiotherapy, and surgery when severe.
5. Understand TCM pattern differentiation for bone hyperplasia, including Kidney deficiency, Liver-Kidney deficiency, Cold-Damp Bi, Phlegm-Damp obstruction, Qi and Blood stagnation, and Blood stasis.
6. Design a safe, evidence-informed TCM treatment plan using acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, tui na/manual therapy, lifestyle advice, and herbal medicine.
7. Explain prevention and long-term self-management strategies.