Essential tremor and other tremors: therapy and daily-living tips, per NINDS
Among lifestyle changes for tremor, NINDS lists: “Working with a physical, speech, and occupational therapist may help control tremor and adapt to daily challenges caused by the tremor.” NINDS calls essential tremor “one of the most common movement disorders.” The tips below are on NINDS’s general tremor page and are not limited to essential tremor. This page quotes NINDS only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Source read on November 12, 2026: NINDS’s Tremor page, reached at its essential tremor address (last reviewed on July 23, 2026).
Lifestyle changes NINDS lists
NINDS states: “Certain lifestyle changes and techniques may provide some relief for mild to moderate tremor:”
- “Working with a physical, speech, and occupational therapist may help control tremor and adapt to daily challenges caused by the tremor.”
- “Using assistive tools, such as special plates, spoons, or heavier utensils can lessen tremor and make it easier to eat.”
- “Wearing clothes that make it easier to dress, such as those that use Velcro instead of buttons. Consider slip-on or no-tie shoes.”
- “Getting enough sleep. Some tremors worsen when a person is tired. Physical activity and exercise can help prevent fatigue and improve sleep.”
NINDS’s list also covers caffeine, taking medicines on time, and stress. On diagnosis, it says a doctor will “test muscle tone and strength, reflexes, balance, and speech”. Adaptive equipment for daily living is part of OT; see the OT path.
What this page does not do
It does not repeat NINDS’s medicine list or its descriptions of deep brain stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, or focused ultrasound. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, or product. Scope of practice for each profession is set by state law; check your state board.