Essential Tremor
Make an appointment
Please call (804) 360-4669 to schedule an appointment.
The VCU Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center offers specialized evaluation and treatment services for essential tremor. This is an interdisciplinary program providing consultations to meet our patients’ individual needs. We strive to integrate expert clinical care with clinical research that advances knowledge in Essential Tremor (ET).
Our care team will create an individualized treatment plan for each patient, which will be shared with your primary physician and any local care providers to help coordinate ongoing follow-up. The team is available to assist patients and families assess the pros and cons of surgical treatments, medications, and other non-medication treatments, to find the best treatment plan for each person.
There are also opportunities to participate in essential tremor clinical research projects.
Interdisciplinary evaluation
The VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center interdisciplinary evaluation allows patients to access sub-specialty care providers in one location. This evaluation will include assessments by the professionals described below, and will result in a comprehensive treatment plan that will address each individual's needs. This treatment plan will be shared with other healthcare providers managing a patient's care.
- Movement Disorder Neurology
- The movement disorder neurologist evaluation includes assessment of symptoms, including non-motor features.
- Clinical Neuropsychology
- The neuropsychologist examines thinking skills such as attention, speed of thinking, visual and language skills, learning and memory, problem-solving, reasoning, and other brain and behavior functions including mood and quality of life.
- Neurosurgery
- The neurosurgeon and nursing team provide full assessments, pre-operative and post-operative care for deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- Physical Therapy
- The physical therapist evaluates conditioning, balance, coordination and motor skills.
- Speech Therapy
- The speech therapist evaluates speaking and swallowing.
As part of VCU Medical Center, our patients have access to other services as recommended by our team.
Clinical research
Our clinical research projects are conducted in the same building as clinical appointments.
For more information, contact Ginger Norris, MGC virginia.norris@vcuhealth.org or (804) 627-1398.
What is Essential Tremor?
Essential tremor is the most common movement disorder and it is estimated to affect up to 4% of people over the age of 60. The tremor occurs with actions, like writing, eating, drinking and typing, and can range from annoying to socially embarrassing to severely disabling. Currently, there is no known cause and limited effective treatment options. ET has potential overlaps, both in symptoms and risk factors, with other disorders such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia.
Essential Tremor Resources
Essential tremor organizations
Essential tremor support groups