Painful Cramping

What Does It Mean?

• Painful Cramping is characterized by extreme, sharp muscle pain that typically results from:
• Poor physical conditioning – Lack of flexibility or muscle conditioning can contribute to cramping.
• Mineral and electrolyte imbalances – Deficiencies in magnesium, potassium, and calcium disrupt normal muscle contraction and relaxation.
• Underlying systemic dysfunction – Issues such as immune dysregulation, adrenal insufficiency, gastrointestinal imbalances, and chronic inflammation can deplete essential minerals, leading to cramping.

How Did We Get There?

Root Causes

• Electrolyte Depletion – Magnesium, potassium, and calcium deficiencies impair neuromuscular signaling, increasing cramp susceptibility.
• Adrenal and GI Dysfunction – Impaired adrenal function and gut health reduce nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies.
• Chronic Inflammation – Increased inflammatory load depletes minerals and impacts muscle function.
• Post-Vaccine Immune Response – Some cases of painful cramping may be linked to immune system dysregulation following the COVID-19 vaccine, leading to adrenal strain, gut issues, and elevated systemic inflammation.

Signs & Symptoms

• Sudden, sharp muscle pain, often in the legs.
• Tightness or "knotted" sensation in affected muscles.
• Fatigue, weakness, or muscle stiffness.
• History of poor hydration, dietary imbalances, or immune dysfunction.

Diagnostic Criteria

Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and lab markers indicative of electrolyte imbalances.

Lab Test Findings

Lab Test Name	Expected Changes	Optimal Range
Albumin	Typically  normal	4.50-5.00 g/dL
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)	Increased	10.00-16.00 mg/dL
Calcium	Decreased	8.90-9.50 mg/dL
Chloride	Typically normal	100.00-106.00 mmol/L
Creatinine	Typically  normal	0.80-1.10 mg/dL
Hematocrit (Male)	Typically normal	40.00-48.00 %
Hemoglobin (Female)	Usually unchanged	13.50-14.50 g/dL
Magnesium, RBC	Decreased	6.00 – 6.80 mg/dL
Magnesium, Serum	Decreased	2.20 – 2.50 mg/dL
Phosphorus (Phosphate)	Typically normal	3.00-4.00 mg/dL
Potassium	Decreased	4.00-4.50 mmol/L
RBC (Male)	Typically normal	4.20 – 4.90 M/µL
Sodium	Decreased	137.00-142.00mmol/L
Specific Gravity	Increased	1.005 – 1.030
Total Protein	Typically  normal	6.90-7.4 g/dL
Uric Acid (Male)	Typically normal	3.50-5.40 mg/dL

How Do We Treat It?

Functional Medicine Approach

The treatment approach focuses on restoring electrolyte balance, optimizing adrenal and GI function, and reducing systemic inflammation.

Supplement Protocol

Supplement	Function	Dosage & Frequency
Endura	Electrolyte balance & hydration support	1 packet with or without food, twice daily
Magnesium	Supports muscle function & relaxation	2 capsules with or without food, daily
Reacted Magnesium & Potassium	Supports magnesium and potassium deficiencies that contribute to cramping	1  capsule with or without food, daily
Vita-Uric Pro	Support healthy uric acid metabolism and joint health	3 capsules without food, daily

Additional Lifestyle Interventions:

• Hydration & Electrolyte Balance – Encourage proper hydration with balanced electrolytes.
• Stretching & Mobility Exercises – Improve muscle flexibility to reduce cramp frequency.
• Support Gut & Adrenal Health – Optimize GI function and address stress to improve nutrient absorption.