Understanding Essential Tremor: Causes, Prevention, and Holistic Treatment Approaches
- Dr. Joe Phiakhamta, DAOM, L.Ac
- Jul 17, 2017
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 22
The aging process, particularly in the brain, vividly illustrates the interplay between environmental and genetic influences on human health. One of the most common neurological disorders among adults is essential tremor (ET)—a condition that progressively worsens with age and is believed to have both hereditary and environmental factors. Essential tremor is characterized by involuntary shaking, which often becomes more pronounced when performing point-to-point movements, such as reaching for an object, bringing food to the mouth, or performing fine motor tasks.
The Role of Harmane in Essential Tremor
Research has shown that individuals with essential tremor have elevated blood concentrations of harmane, a neurotoxic beta-carboline compound found in various foods, including cooked meats, coffee, sauces, and tobacco smoke. Harmane is classified as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), a category of compounds that affects neurotransmitter levels by preventing the breakdown of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain. While MAOIs were once used as prescription antidepressants, excessive harmane levels may contribute to neurotoxicity, potentially exacerbating ET symptoms.
Although the body naturally detoxifies harmane through enzymatic pathways, these processes can become less efficient due to aging, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures. Supporting detoxification and minimizing toxin burden can help reduce the risk of developing essential tremor or slowing its progression.
Preventing Essential Tremor Through Diet and Lifestyle
To support neurological health and reduce toxin exposure, consider the following dietary and lifestyle recommendations:
Foods to Avoid
Harmane-containing foods: Cooked meats, coffee, certain sauces, and tobacco smoke exposure
Processed foods and refined sugars
Charred vegetables and meats, which may contain neurotoxic compounds
Foods to Include
Plant-based foods rich in antioxidants and fiber, such as leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and sea vegetables
Whole grains, which provide essential nutrients for brain function
Anti-inflammatory foods, including omega-3-rich sources like flaxseeds and walnuts
Additionally, stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and acupuncture may help alleviate internal stressors and support detoxification pathways.
Holistic Approaches to Managing Essential Tremor
Several natural therapies may help manage essential tremor after its onset, including:
Acupuncture – Acupuncture has been shown to enhance circulation, regulate neurotransmitter activity, reduce anxiety, and improve muscle function. By stimulating specific meridians, acupuncture can help balance the body's energy flow and alleviate tremor symptoms.
Asian Bodywork Therapy (Tuina) – This therapeutic massage technique promotes relaxation, improves circulation, and may help relieve neurological symptoms.
Cupping and Gua Sha (Scraping Therapy) – These traditional techniques can help improve blood circulation and reduce muscular tension associated with tremors.
Herbal Medicine – Chinese herbal formulas may be used to address underlying imbalances contributing to essential tremor, though individualized treatment is recommended for optimal results.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Essential Tremor
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), tremors are analyzed based on internal and external conditions affecting the body:
Internal factors relate to emotions such as joy, anger, anxiety, worry, sadness, fear, and fright, which can contribute to imbalances in the nervous system.
External factors include environmental influences known as the "six evils"—cold, heat, wind, dryness, dampness, and summer heat.
From an acupuncture perspective, tremor is often classified as a wind disorder (feng). Wind in TCM represents sudden, unpredictable movement, similar to the spontaneous nature of tremors. Acupuncture treatment aims to disperse internal wind, strengthen the body's energy (Qi), and improve neurological function.
Acupuncture for Essential Tremor
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles at specific points, where they remain for 15 to 25 minutes to regulate Qi flow, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation. Studies suggest that acupuncture may help manage essential tremor by enhancing blood flow, improving sleep quality, reducing pain, and alleviating anxiety—all of which can be triggers for worsening symptoms.
Supporting Brain Health Through Diet and Lifestyle
Maintaining a nutrient-dense diet, reducing toxin exposure, and incorporating holistic therapies can support neurological health and improve overall well-being.
If you are looking to optimize your diet and overall health to prevent or manage essential tremor, schedule a comprehensive health consultation by contacting Vitality at 615.891.7500, or book an acupuncture consultation with True Acupuncture & Wellness at 615.975.7320.
References
Benito-León, J., Louis, E. D., & Bermejo-Pareja, F. (2009). Population-based case–control study of cognitive function in essential tremor. Neurology, 72(2), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000339039.70068.8d
Louis, E. D., Zheng, W., Jurewicz, E. C., Watner, D., Chen, J., Factor-Litvak, P., ... & Linder, J. (2002). Elevated blood harmane (1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole) concentrations in essential tremor. Neurotoxicology, 23(4–5), 491–496. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-813X(02)00093-0
Louis, E. D. (2016). Essential tremor: A common disorder of purkinje neurons? The Neuroscientist, 22(6), 540–549. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073858415604460
Shulman, K. I., Herrmann, N., & Walker, S. E. (2013). Current place of monoamine oxidase inhibitors in the treatment of depression. CNS Drugs, 27, 789–797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-013-0094-8
Miller, G. W., & Dietert, R. R. (2014). Environmental exposures and neurodegeneration in aging. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(5), 389–395. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307272
Zhou, Y., Jiang, Z., Lu, L., Liu, S., Zhang, J., & Xu, Z. (2015). Dietary patterns and their associations with health-related quality of life in older adults. Journal of Nutritional Health & Aging, 19, 1015–1022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0488-6
Lee, M. S., & Ernst, E. (2012). Acupuncture for neurological disorders: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Current Opinion in Neurology, 25(5), 471–475. https://doi.org/10.1097/WCO.0b013e32835731ed
Yuan, Q. L., Wang, P., Liu, L., Sun, F., Cai, Y. S., Wu, W. T., ... & Zhang, Y. G. (2016). Acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of sham-controlled randomized clinical trials. Scientific Reports, 6, 30675. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep30675
About Dr. Joe Phiakhamta, DAOM
Dr. Joe is a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine based at True Acupuncture and Wellness in Franklin, Tennessee. He specializes in chronic pain, allergies, tick-borne illnesses, immune system imbalances, and gut health issues. Dr. Joe integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine, SAAT acupuncture, and herbal medicine to provide personalized care that restores balance, enhances well-being, and offers lasting relief from complex and often misunderstood conditions.