Comments for Magnesium for Calcific Tendonitis?

The Tendonitis Expert
by: Kerri Knox, RN-The Immune Health Queen!

I've forwarded your question to my partner Joshua Tucker,
The Tendonitis Expert. He'll likely be able to better answer that question than I can.

Thoughts on Magnesium use for the treatment of Calcific Tendonitis
by: The Tendonitis Expert

Hey, this is Joshua.

So, here's my thoughts on this. And as far as I can tell, there isn't any research on this.

One (heavily debated) treatment for Calcific Tendonitis is severe restriction of Calcium intake. The theory being that the body needs calcium, so will pull the calcium from the 'deposit' to be used, thus removing calcium from the tendon and surrounding area, making everything better.

Sounds great, except eventually you need your calcium levels back up.

Another treatment option is to increase one's Magnesium intake. When the body is deficient in Magnesium, it pulls Calcium from the cells for some reason. So adding Magnesium stops that process, and then the body can do it's thing and clear up the Calcium deposit.

In general, Calcific Tendonitis clears up on it's own as the body fights for health and homeostatsis.

Interesting factoid: the Calcium is powder-like on the way in, toothpaste-like on the way out.

But here's the thing. Calcific Tendonitis is not a function of -too much- calcium in your body.

Now, here's my to answer your question. In the face of lack of research and 'proof', take it for what it's worth.

A. Increase your Magnesium intake and Vitamin D3 intake.

B. Decrease or stop your Calcium intake for a short period of time. Personally I wouldn't drop it for more than 2 weeks.

C. Then up your Calcium again.

Calcium and Magnesium work hand in hand, and you need both.

With the above method, it makes sense that one will get the benefit of lowered Calcium intake with the benefit of increased Magnesium intake.

Just increasing Magnesium as above may do the trick. But in my experience, problems with the body never work in isolation, it's never just -one- factor.

Call it team work. Increase your Magnesium intake while also increasing your water intake, while repeatedly throughout the day, reach over and rub the calcified spot to break it up and relax all the muscles and tissue around it.

It's just a dry crunchy sponge, squeeze it over and over until it's soft and squishy, essentially. This is the gentle version of needling therapy that gets in there with a needle and breaks it up.

Does that answer your question?

Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com

Why is this happening?
by: Kerri Knox, RN-The Immune Health Queen!

So the question that I always ask, that doctors don't seem to is, "Why is this happening". What is the mechanism that you have this abnormal calcium building up in the tendon?

Is it similar to the phenomenon of gout or kidney stones where the calcium or uric acid just doesn't dissolve into the bloodstream and ends up crystallizing into the tendon? If so, then another thing that should be added to your diet every day is lemon juice.

The citric acid in lemon juice allows the calcium to dissolve into the blood, thus preventing it from forming crystals anywhere. This is a quick and cheap way to prevent kidney stones and I would think that it might help to prevent any further deposition of calcium into the tendon- IF that is the cause of why the calcium deposition is there to begin with.

Most people don't need over 1000 mg of calcium per day anyway- even if you have osteoporosis- because we tend to get a decent amount in our diet. But if you don't have magnesium and/or vitamin D then the calcium will not be absorbed. Docs think osteoporosis is a calcium deficiency, but it's really a magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K and trace mineral problem!

Anyway, take LOTS of magnesium, up to 900 mg/day- increase slowly and when you get loose stools, back off to the dose that DIDN'T make you have loose stools. And have you had your Vitamin D Level checked. That is a Must, otherwise the calcium will NOT be absorbed.

You need to get your level to between 40 to 80 ng/ml- and it's likely that this is going to take a LOT more Vitamin D than you think you need- like sometimes up to 10 to 20 TIMES more than the RDA.

Kerri Knox RN Immune Health Queen

Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Health Queen
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Easy Immune Health.com

Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thank you both so much, this is great information! I will give your suggestions a try.

All the best.

Calcifications cause
by: Nicolas

Calcifications can be caused by:
- Vitamin D Deficiency (mostly) or toxicity. Vitamin D has dualistic role in calcifications
- Vitamin K2 deficiency
- Magnesium Deficiency

Please read this:

Vitamin D and vascular calcification

Take all three at the same time like in the Vitamin D Absorption Pack.

Lemon for calcific tendinitis
by: Anonymous

I have been suffering from calcific tendinitis in my shoulder since June (6 months), I'm a 35 yr old female with a desk job. I've had physio, acupuncture and kinesio tape with varying positive or no effect.

Two weeks ago I decided to start my day with warm lemon juice after reading about the general health benefits of doing so. Within a week and currently on going I've had no problems or pain in my shoulder! It's almost back to normal (still small discomfort on forwards movements)
I would recommend anyone suffering from calcific build up to drink warm lemon on an empty stomach mornings.

What I've experienced....
by: Anonymous

Just had my first experience with Calcific Tendonitis. The pain in my right shoulder was excruciating. However, after about 7 days, it has all but resolved itself, and I have almost full range of motion of the shoulder. I did see an orthopedic surgeon for the condition, and did opt for a steroid injection to the shoulder. I would advise this as a first course of action along with anti-inflammatory medication.

I did get a second opinion, and needle aspiration and surgery was discussed. For anyone dealing with the pain, please take a deep breath and go slow. My first instinct was to just want the deposit removed, but as I've said, it has pretty much resolved itself. I'd like to say that I am not a fan of pills. I don't like to put junk in my body, and have been Vegan for about 6 years now. But sometimes, the pain is overwhelming, so proceed cautiously, but do manage your pain for the short period of time that you will need to.

My own experience was to use the opioid Meds just for a day or two, that I received in the emergency room. After that, I was able to manage things with an OTC NSAID. I found heat and subtle massage more beneficial than ice, and I did perform a basic exercise daily (hang your arm down and "stir the pot") in order to prevent frozen shoulder.

Having said all of that, I'm not sure about the Magnesium Deficiency. Since I don't eat meat, my diet is high in leafy greens, avocado, nuts, seeds, tofu, etc. which are all high in Magnesium.

I do supplement occasionally with D3, but my levels are usually good. The only supplement that I regularly take in B12, but only weekly. I do agree that stuff happens for a reason, but despite all the reading I've done, I'm still not convinced of any argument for or against a particular cause/effect.

Headed back to the OS tomorrow for a follow up X-ray. This was my first bout with this, certainly an experience that I hope I won't relive. Good luck to anyone who is suffering with this. I feel your pain, but stay positive. In most cases, things will return to normal.

Calcific ANYTHING
by: Kerri Knox, RN, The Immune Queen

Calcific ANYTHING, by virtual definition, means that you have magnesium deficiency. That you eat foods that are theoretically high in magnesium only 'counts' if they actually are grown in conditions where they are able to absorb magnesium from the soil, and if they are not kept in storage for days and weeks where they lose their magnesium.

Also, most vegetarians eat a lot of foods high in 'anti-nutrients', such as grains, soy, and raw brassicas. These block the absorption of nutrients like magnesium.

Vegetarians are often MORE magnesium deficient than omnivores, in my experience.

Magnesium, D, K helps for calcification
by: Redkingjoe

I have trauma in toe induced gout. I had to sleep on bed for 6 weeks. The doctors said I had calcification of the toe joint and skins around the toe. X ray show that the the joint is filled with calcification and the skin is thicken outside. The specialist and the physiotherapist both say that it will take real long time to get well on the calcification.

Although i didn't reduce my calcium intake, I started taking additional mag, d, k everyday until I have got loose stool. I also get a lot of physiotherapy on the toe.

First, the skin outside is visibly thinner, smoother, and flexible. I can walk better. Both the doc and therapist also say the skin is much better with less calcification clearing just within a week.

Second, the toe is more flexible.

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