Our body is always giving us signals about our health, and ignoring them can lead to serious complications. I want to share with you my experience with calcific tendinitis and encourage you to pay more attention to the signs your body is sending you.
How it all started: First signs of calcific tendinitis
On January 11, 2025, I was diagnosed with calcific tendinitis of the infraspinatus and supraspinatus tendon insertion fibers with associated edematous changes in the right shoulder. However, the symptoms appeared years ago but I ignored them.
The mild pain started 3-4 years ago when I was playing tennis 2-3 times a week. I wasn’t paying enough attention to proper warm-up, and this affected my shoulder health, gradually leading to persistent shoulder pain. The first signs I ignored were:
- The discomfort of throwing the ball to my dog.
- Difficulty putting on a tighter jacket or sweater.
- Repeated episodes of waking up with my hand almost stuck after sleeping with it under my pillow.
Consequences of ignoring your body signals
For relief, the doctors have recommended:
- Arcoxia 90mg – 1 tablet a day (after meals)
- Chlorzoxazone 250mg – 2 tablets a day
Arcoxia did not help significantly, but chlorzoxazone relaxed my muscles, reducing the tension caused by the pain.
I then had an MRI and X-ray, but I would advise you to start with an ultrasound scan as it can give enough information without radiation exposure!
Surgeon’s intervention
The pain persisted, so I went to a surgeon who gave me an injection of Diprophos (one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory drugs). Although extremely painful, this injection helped significantly, allowing me to regain about 70% of my mobility.
Another surprise: Calcium and the left shoulder
As if the problems with my right shoulder were not enough, on January 31, following a simple ultrasound scan, I discovered that my left shoulder was also starting to be affected by calcium deposits. In a bit of a panic, I realized that I couldn’t put it off any longer and made recovery a top priority, putting almost everything else aside to focus on my health.
Alternative treatments for calcific tendinitis
I also looked for alternatives to treat the problem and learned about physiotherapy and physiotherapy. I currently attend sessions at Kinetic Sport & Medicine, where I do:
- Kinetotherapy – to regain mobility and strengthen shoulder muscles;
- Physiotherapy – which includes deep tissue massage, laser therapy, TECAR and cryotherapy (these 3 in order to reduce inflammation) and shockwave in order to break up calcium deposits.
Rehabilitation is generally tedious (months or even years) and requires almost daily exercise at home for the rest of your life. Without a proper warm-up, there is always a risk of tearing the tendon in the shoulder that has more calcium deposited in the tendon area.
The anti-inflammatory supplements I take are: curcumin and curcumfen. To support joint and tendon health I take MSM, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen.
What I’m trying to avoid: stress, alcohol, fast food, sleep deprivation.
Why does this condition occur?
Many say that calcium build-up in shoulder tendons is a matter of bad luck. However, I think there are favorable factors such as:
- Wrong posture at the desk (shoulders and head bent forward);
- Spinal kyphosis;
- Lack of mobility;
- Neglecting to warm up properly before strenuous sports activities requiring repetitive movements;
- Thyroid problems.
What can you do to prevent calcific tendinitis?
To avoid ending up in my situation, I recommend you consider the following:
- Warm your shoulders well before practicing sports involving intense and repetitive movements (tennis, baseball, boxing, wood-breaking, etc.).
- Avoid sleeping with your hands under your head or pillow.
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach as it puts strain on your lower back.
- If you have kyphosis, try to correct it with physiotherapy and muscle strengthening exercises.
The bottom line: listen to your body!
My experience has shown me how important it is to listen to the signals our body is sending us, without hypochondria. If you have similar symptoms, don’t ignore them! A timely medical check-up can prevent serious pain and complications.
If you need advice on this diagnosis, I am at your friendly disposal. Take care of your health and remember: your body is talking to you, listen to it!
Bonus: Golden Milk recipe
I’m happy to share this recipe for anyone in need of a 100% natural anti-inflammatory.
Here’s what you will need:
Milk: I use coconut milk as the fat content is excellent for absorbing the healing compounds of turmeric. But you can use your favorite dairy or lactose-free options such as almond milk, cashew milk or oat milk.
Turmeric: I use ground turmeric in this recipe, since most people have it readily accessible in their spice drawer or cupboard.
Spices: I like to add a pinch of cinnamon and black pepper (to activate the curcumin compound in turmeric). You can also add ground ginger or cardamom for an extra spicy flavor.
Sweetener: Maple syrup or honey are my favorites, but the choice is yours!
