Natural Remedies for Essential Tremor: Stop Shaking Hands

Essential tremor is a common movement disorder that causes involuntary rhythmic shaking, most often resulting in shaky hands, but sometimes it affects the head or voice. It sounds innocuous, but it can have a profound impact on your quality of life, especially if you don't find ways to control it.

Fortunately, various lifestyle changes can improve tremor symptoms. These natural approaches are often safe and effective.

In this post, we discuss how to stop hand tremors naturally. 

Are Trembling Hands Normal?

Having shaky hands is quite common, particularly among individuals who are stressed, anxious, or sleep-deprived. However it can be a sign of a more serious disease.

If you believe you have essential tremor, speak to a physician. They can provide a full diagnosis and tell you what might be going on. Don't assume you have a serious problem with your nervous system without any investigation. Involuntary shaking can have multiple causes, and many aren't related to serious disease.

What are shaking hands a symptom of?

Shaky hands can have many causes. Essential tremor is one diagnosis. In case of essential tremor, shaking is caused by rhythmic muscle contractions in specific parts of the body. Clinicians also describe tremor by when it appears—e.g., postural or kinetic/intention. In some cases, they label the condition "idiopathic," meaning that they can't determine what's driving it.

Many people associate tremor with essential tremor. However, tremor can also occur in many other conditions (often referred to as non-essential tremor)—such as Parkinson’s disease, cerebellar disorders, medication effects, and anxiety-related enhanced physiologic tremor.

The most obvious cases of tremor occur when you develop shaky hands after traumatic brain injury, referred to as post-traumatic (symptomatic) tremor. Physical damage to brain circuits can lead to tremor symptoms that develop over time. These can lead to tremor syndromes, especially if you don't manage stress. Anxiety and stimulants can worsen tremor, and severe cases may respond to treatments like medication or, if needed, deep brain stimulation.

Finally, stress, alcohol, stimulants like caffeine and medical treatment can all play a role. These can worsen tremor severity, leading to more overt symptoms. Doctors call this enhanced physiologic tremor—often brought on by caffeine, stress, some medicines, hyperthyroidism, or withdrawal—and it usually improves when the trigger is addressed.

Natural Remedies For Essential Tremor

Natural remedies can be a useful companion to help you manage and improve essential and non-essential tremor symptoms. Here are some most commonly used lifestyle measures:

Herbal Medicine

Many people living with essential tremor begin with herbal medicine to reduce symptoms. Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to combat neurological issues and are often safe if used for a limited time.

Passionflower is one popular herbal supplement people with persistent hand tremors use. It is well-known for reducing anxiety and body-wide tension. Yokukansan (Yi-Gan San) is another option. Research shows it may improve shaking symptoms in the majority of patients over time. Other promising natural remedies that may work by the relaxing GABA pathways include omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, hawthorn, and CBD.

If you want to incorporate any of these herbs and supplements into your routine, discuss your plan with your doctor. They will tell you if there are any interaction risks with medications you already take.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may work through similar channels. Research suggests that inserting thin needles through the skin into the muscle tissue can lead to lower stress and overall feelings of wellbeing, particularly when combined with herbal remedies.

So far, most studies have explored the effects of acupuncture on children with early-onset essential tremor. Fewer long-term studies exist, so this option is best used alongside conventional techniques.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques can also reduce tremors. Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing techniques can all evoke a sense of calmness and well-being in practitioners.

For example, one study found that performing yoga just twice a week could reduce tremor severity and prevent them from getting worse. Guided meditations were also effective and something that many patients found they could integrate into their routines quickly.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is another option for those living with essential tremor. These techniques appear powerful for reducing muscle tension and enhancing whole-body circulation, which could improve tremor symptoms.

Swedish massage therapy is perhaps the most effective. Researchers believe it can trigger a parasympathetic response, enhancing relaxation and leading to lower stress levels. The more regular the sessions, the better, when combined with holistic therapy.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is also becoming popular for essential tremor. The idea here is to exercise in water or baths to support weak muscles and reduce stress.

Hydrotherapy works because of the water's buoyancy. The fact that it compresses the body gently assists with muscle strength and flexibility.

The direct evidence that hydrotherapy can improve essential tremor is quite thin. However, it makes sense that it would help within the wider body of literature, especially for muscle relaxation.

Physical Therapy

Physical or occupational therapy is another option to help with essential tremor symptoms. Professionals can work with you to reduce tremor intensity and help you experience life the way you want.

For example, instructors may get you to practice your balance or perform strength training exercises to improve hand tremors using a stress ball. They may also perform a physical examination in severe cases, especially if you have neurological conditions or difficulty swallowing.

Nerve stimulation devices

Finally, you could explore using nerve stimulation devices, like VILIM Ball. These work as a hand tremor treatment by providing mechanical vibration to the hand tissue to reduce tremors.

What's clever about VILIM Ball is the use of AI algorithms to determine patients' individual tremor patterns and then produce a mechanical output that minimizes them. This technology means that everyone using the VILIM Ball enjoys slightly different treatment.

Furthermore, VILIM Ball has real scientific studies behind it, proving it works. Research shows that tremor intensity can drop by over 60% when using the product.

What deficiency causes shaky hands?

Sometimes, deficiencies can cause shaky hands. In these cases, symptoms will usually clear up quickly after resolving the deficiency.

For instance, shaky hands are often a sign of B12 deficiency. This vitamin is critical for maintaining a healthy nervous system, but will cause tremors if you don't get enough of it in your diet. Natural sources include meat and animal products, but you can also get it in fortified foods and supplements.

Some studies link B1 and B6 deficiencies to tremor symptoms, but these are much rarer. Most people get sufficient quantities of these vitamins in their diets to avoid overt deficiencies, although you may want to take a B-vitamin complex, just to be sure.

How To Minimize The Effects Of Tremor On Your Daily Life

So, what can you do to minimize the effects of tremor symptoms on your daily life? Here are some of the things that might help you:

Using Weighted Utensils

One option is to use weighted utensils when eating, like weighted forks, spoons and knives. These provide additional stability and reduce tremors' effects substantially.

The upside is that these can make it easier for you to eat independently but the downside is that they are heavier, and so eating can require more effort.

Using Larger Pens

If you write a lot, you may also want to use larger pens. Essential tremor can make it harder to grip onto the barrel properly for various writing tasks.

If you can't use a pen at all, try voice-to-text software. These solutions allow you to dictate texts and emails so you can communicate with friends and family more easily.

Use Voice Command Devices

On a similar theme, you might also want to start using voice command technology more often. Even if you can't interact with buttons and switches, you can assign computer systems to control them for you. Smart home devices, like Alexa, can connect to all your appliances, lighting, and HVAC systems.

Use Larger Icons On Your Touchscreen

You could also try swapping smaller for larger icons on your touch screens. These make it easier to press buttons on your iPad or smartphone.

Other Lifestyle Changes

Finally, there are a host of other lifestyle changes you can make to make living with essential tremor easier. These include:

• Asking restaurant waitstaff at restaurants to pre-cut your meal

• Keeping your hairstyle short so it requires minimal effort

• Drinking out of mugs with lids or use flasks

• Avoiding drinking caffeine if it makes symptoms worse

• Turning your head to the side to control head tremors

• Use contactless payments instead of cash or checks

Seeking professional help - who cures hand tremors?

Of course, if you do have hand tremors, then getting professional help is essential. The more you can work with a physician who understands your neurological symptoms, the better.

Usually, you want to go to a neurologist if you have hand tremors. These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating essential tremor and other conditions relating to the brain and nervous system.

You could also visit a "movement disorders specialist." Again, these are neurologists with specific training in conditions that affect movement. They may provide treatments like beta-blockers, anticonvulsants or brain stimulation, with some also offering surgery in exceptional cases for tremor control.