Can calcification go away on its own? An expert health guide

September 29, 2025 •

4 min read

While the body requires calcium for strong bones, abnormal calcification—calcium depositing in soft tissues—can lead to health issues. A common question is, Can calcification go away on its own? The definitive answer depends on the specific type and location of the mineral deposits.

Quick Summary

The spontaneous resolution of calcification is highly dependent on its type, location, and underlying cause. While conditions like calcific tendonitis often resolve naturally, more chronic forms such as arterial calcification are generally permanent, though their progression can be managed effectively with lifestyle changes and medication.

Key Points

Spontaneous Resolution Varies: The chance of calcification going away on its own depends on its type and location; calcific tendonitis may resolve, while arterial plaque is generally irreversible.
Dystrophic vs. Metastatic: Calcification in damaged tissue (dystrophic) is often permanent, whereas deposits caused by high blood calcium (metastatic) might be reversible if the metabolic imbalance is treated.
Lifestyle Management is Key: While reversing existing calcification is difficult, adopting a healthy lifestyle can stabilize plaque and prevent further buildup, especially in the arteries.
Treatment Options Depend on Location: Medical interventions like shockwave therapy, needle procedures, or surgery are available for symptomatic calcification that doesn't resolve naturally.
Focus on the Root Cause: Managing conditions that contribute to calcification, such as hypercalcemia from kidney disease or hyperparathyroidism, is more effective than trying to dissolve deposits directly.
Dietary Support, Not Cure: Specific nutrients like Vitamin K2 and Magnesium support healthy calcium metabolism, but diet alone is not proven to reverse existing calcified deposits.

The Nuance of Spontaneous Resolution

Calcification, or the abnormal accumulation of calcium salts in soft tissues, is not a uniform process. It can occur in nearly any part of the body, from blood vessels and joints to organs and breasts. Because its causes and manifestations vary so widely, the likelihood of a deposit resolving on its own changes dramatically based on the specific condition.

For instance, calcific tendonitis in the shoulder, which causes painful calcium deposits in the rotator cuff tendons, is known to spontaneously resolve over months or years, especially during its acute phase. This is often the exception rather than the rule, as many other forms of calcification are considered irreversible without medical intervention.

Understanding the Types of Pathological Calcification

To understand whether calcification can go away, it's crucial to distinguish between the two primary types of pathological calcification: dystrophic and metastatic.

Dystrophic Calcification

This is the most common type and occurs in areas of damaged or dead tissue, despite normal blood calcium and phosphate levels. The mechanism involves local tissue changes, such as the release of phosphate from dying cells, which creates a favorable environment for calcium deposition. Examples include:

Atherosclerotic plaques: Calcium deposits accumulate in the walls of arteries over time, a process that is generally irreversible.
Damaged heart valves: Calcification can stiffen heart valves, a condition that usually does not resolve on its own and may require surgery.
Scars and inflammation sites: Chronic inflammation or past injury can leave behind calcium deposits.

Metastatic Calcification

This type affects otherwise normal tissues but occurs as a result of hypercalcemia, or abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood. Common causes of hypercalcemia include kidney failure, hyperparathyroidism, and excessive intake of vitamin D. In contrast to dystrophic calcification, metastatic calcification has a better chance of reversibility if the underlying metabolic disorder is successfully treated. However, some existing deposits may still remain even after the metabolic issue is corrected.

Factors Influencing Calcification Reversibility

Several key factors determine the potential for calcification to go away on its own or with treatment:

Underlying Cause: Addressing the root cause is the most critical step. For metastatic calcification, this means managing the hypercalcemia caused by conditions like kidney disease or hyperparathyroidism. For dystrophic calcification, since it is a response to tissue damage, reversing it is often not possible, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing progression.
Location and Function: The location of the deposits is highly significant. Calcium in a shoulder tendon might resolve, while calcified plaque in coronary arteries is considered permanent. Calcification on the skin (calcinosis cutis) may respond to certain medications, though not always completely.
Deposit Stage and Consistency: Younger, softer deposits may be more amenable to natural absorption or medical procedures. For example, early-stage calcific tendonitis deposits can be soft like toothpaste, while older, chronic ones become hard and chalk-like, making them harder to remove.

Medical and Lifestyle Management

For calcification that does not resolve on its own, various treatments are available, ranging from conservative to surgical, depending on the specifics of the case.

Medical Interventions

Conservative Treatments: For conditions like calcific tendonitis, initial treatment includes rest, NSAIDs, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections to manage pain and inflammation.
Needle Barbotage: This procedure uses needles guided by ultrasound to break up and aspirate calcium deposits, often used for tendonitis.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): High-energy sound waves are applied externally to break down calcium deposits in tendons, similar to lithotripsy for kidney stones.
Surgical Removal: Arthroscopic surgery can be performed to remove problematic deposits that do not respond to other treatments.

Lifestyle and Dietary Considerations

While diet generally does not cause or reverse most types of calcification, it is critical for managing underlying health conditions, especially in cases of vascular calcification. Adopting a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats, sodium, and refined carbohydrates is essential for slowing the progression of atherosclerosis. Some research suggests specific nutrients like Vitamin K2 and Magnesium may help regulate calcium, but no dietary regimen has been proven to dissolve existing calcified plaque. You can find more information about diet and vascular plaque from reliable sources like Harvard Health on vascular plaque buildup.

Comparison of Calcification Reversibility by Type


Calcification Type	Location	Spontaneous Resolution Potential	Treatment Approach
Calcific Tendonitis	Shoulder, hip	High, especially during the acute phase	NSAIDs, PT, ESWT, needle barbotage, or surgery for persistent cases
Atherosclerotic Plaque	Arteries	Very Low	Irreversible calcified component; focus on preventing progression with lifestyle changes and medication
Breast Calcifications	Breast tissue	Low (if benign)	Typically harmless and monitored with regular mammograms; assessed for cancer risk
Metastatic Calcification	Kidneys, lungs	Possible (with correction of metabolic disorder)	Treat underlying hypercalcemia, often caused by kidney failure or hyperparathyroidism
Kidney Stones	Kidneys	Possible	Small stones may pass naturally; larger ones treated with lithotripsy or other procedures
Calcinosis Cutis	Skin	Low	Can be monitored; some cases may require calcium channel blockers or surgery

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Health

The question of whether calcification can go away on its own is complex, with the outcome depending heavily on the specific circumstances. While it can occur in certain localized inflammatory conditions like calcific tendonitis, it is not a realistic expectation for chronic, systemic diseases like atherosclerosis. For many types of calcification, especially those impacting vital organs, prevention and management of the underlying condition are the primary goals, rather than reversal. Consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no diet proven to reverse existing calcification. However, maintaining a heart-healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, is crucial for managing underlying conditions and preventing further plaque progression, especially in arteries.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, while Vitamin K2 helps direct calcium to the bones and teeth, away from soft tissues like arteries. However, taking supplements for these vitamins is not proven to dissolve existing calcification, and excessive vitamin D can be harmful.

Not all calcification is a cause for concern. Some forms, like age-related changes or benign breast calcifications found on a mammogram, are harmless and require no treatment. However, calcification in certain areas, such as arteries, can signal underlying health issues.

Calcific tendonitis involves painful calcium deposits in tendons, most commonly in the shoulder's rotator cuff. It can often resolve spontaneously over time, but for persistent or painful cases, medical treatments like anti-inflammatory drugs, shockwave therapy, or needle procedures may be necessary.

Despite claims, there is no scientific evidence that supplements or natural remedies can dissolve existing calcium deposits. Any improvements experienced are likely due to the body's natural processes or the placebo effect. Always consult a healthcare provider for effective, evidence-based treatment.

Chronic inflammation damages tissue, and the body's repair process can lead to the formation of dystrophic calcification in the damaged area. By addressing the source of chronic inflammation, one can reduce the risk of this type of calcification.

Arterial calcification is a component of advanced atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup. While the calcified part of the plaque is irreversible, atherosclerosis is a broader disease process that can be managed and slowed through lifestyle modifications and medication.

Taking appropriate doses of calcium supplements generally does not cause calcification in people with normal calcium metabolism. However, excessive intake, especially with certain underlying conditions, can contribute to hypercalcemia and potentially metastatic calcification.