Living with Essential Tremor? You’re Not Alone.

If your hands shake when you write, drink a cup of tea, or perform simple tasks - you’re not the only one.

Essential Tremor (ET)

Essential Tremor (ET) is a common neurological condition that affects millions worldwide. It’s not a sign of weakness or anxiety - it’s a real, treatable medical condition. While tremors can be frustrating, new advances in brain science are helping people regain control, confidence, and independence - often without surgery.

What Is Essential Tremor?

Essential Tremor causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking - usually in the hands, but it can also affect the head, voice, or legs. Symptoms often begin gradually and may worsen over time or during stress.

Common symptoms include:

Shaking of the hands during movement or activity

Tremor that starts on one side and may affect both

Head nodding or a trembling voice

Worsening during stress, fatigue, or purposeful actions

ET tends to run in families, but it can also occur without a known cause. The good news - it’s treatable.

How Is Essential Tremor Treated?

Treatment is always personalized. The right approach depends on how severe your tremor is,
how it affects daily life, and how you respond to medication.

First-Line Options (Medical Management)

Doctors often begin with medication and supportive therapies:

Beta Blockers Commonly used for blood pressure, they can help calm tremors.
Anti-Seizure Drugs Regulate nerve signals that trigger shaking.
Tranquilizers Used when stress or anxiety makes tremors worse.
Botulinum (Botox) Injections Can help relax overactive muscles in the head or voice.

Supportive care such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and adaptive tools often improves control and confidence in daily tasks.

Advanced Treatment Options (When Medications Aren’t Enough)

When tremors remain uncontrolled or side effects from medications limit your daily life, your neurologist may discuss advanced therapies such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) or MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS).

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

DBS involves implanting fine electrodes into the brain’s thalamus, connected to a pacemaker-like device that sends gentle electrical signals to calm the tremor. It’s adjustable and reversible, but it requires surgery and ongoing programming.

A New Option: Incisionless Treatment with MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

Imagine treating tremors without surgery, without implants, and often with immediate improvement —
that’s what MRgFUS offers.

How it works:

Uses high intensity ultrasound waves, guided by real-time MRI, to target the exact brain area causing tremors (the thalamus).
The ultrasound energy creates a precise, focused lesion that interrupts abnormal tremor signals.
The procedure is completely incisionless, done inside an MRI suite, and most patients go home the same day.

Benefits of MRgFUS

No incisions, no radiation, no implants

Immediate improvement in tremor symptoms

Quick recovery — typically same-day discharge

Outpatient procedure with minimal downtime

Who Can Benefit from MRgFUS?

You may be a candidate if you:

Have Essential Tremor or Tremor-Dominant Parkinson’s not responding to
medication
Are not suitable for, or prefer to avoid, invasive surgery
Have tremor on one side (dominant hand)
Can undergo MRI safely

Your neurologist and MRgFUS care team will evaluate you using MRI and skull density tests to ensure suitability.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Step 1: MRI-based planning and target confirmation

Step 2: Gradual delivery of focused ultrasound waves

Step 3: Real-time imaging and tremor testing during the session

Step 4: Observation and discharge – often the same day

The procedure takes around 2–3 hours, and results are often visible immediately.

Support After Treatment

Most patients experience significant and lasting tremor control. Follow-up visits help monitor outcomes and provide therapy or rehabilitation support if needed.

All MRgFUS centres collaborate closely to ensure a smooth transition back to daily life.

Your Next Step

If you or your loved one is struggling with tremors, it’s time to explore incision-free possibilities.

Check Your Eligibility for MRgFUS