Tremors are a common and frustrating symptom for people living with Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological conditions. They are involuntary muscle contractions which can cause shaking and unsteady movement.
I recently spoke with a patient who had left her doctors appointment feeling very angry and insulted when her tremors were described as "Intention Tremors", because the message she was hearing was "you are intentionally causing these tremors". She immediately thought "no! Not another doctor telling me this is all in my head!"
But Intention Tremor is the name of a type of neurological tremor, and although the name may sound like you have control here - or that it is your intention to cause the tremor - this is not the case.
What is Intention Tremor?
Intention Tremors occur during movements that require coordination between your visual input and the movement of your affected limbs.
For example, when you reach for a cup of coffee, firstly your eyes focus on the cup. Then your movement course to reach out your arm, open your hand and grasp the cup is plotted and coordinated by your cerebellum. It continually adjusts your course of movement by getting feedback from your eyes telling you how close you are to your coffee cup, and proprioception of your hand (that is, where you perceive your hand to be in relation to the rest of your body)
With Intention Tremors, the nerves and brain areas that control the motions of moving your arm and hand are unable to produce smooth, fluid movements. Instead they get stuck in a jolting rhythm of muscle contractions. The involuntary contractions tend to become increased as you get closer to your goal - so the closer your hand gets to grabbing your cup, the more it shakes.
When sitting still, the tremors can be minimal or completely stop.
Have you spoken to your GP about your tremors?
If you haven't spoken with your GP, please make a time to talk to them, especially if you're unsure if they are an indicator of a neurological condition.
If you already have a diagnosis of a neurological condition, like MS or Parkinsons Disease, and if the tremors are a new symptom, its important to let you doctor know that you're experiencing this.
Tremors don't always happen because of neurological diseases. They can occur due to stress, fatigue, vitamin deficiency, low blood sugar, or after an impact to your head like a fall, car accident or concussion, or after a brain injury like a stroke.
You should always have a doctor investigate these symptoms.
Can Myotherapy help Intention Tremors?
We can't offer a cure for tremors.
What we can help with is muscle pain, fatigue and tension that is often associated with tremors and neurological conditions.
Myotherapy can be a great complementary therapy as part of a holistic treatment plan, but shouldn't be used as your only form of treatment.
You can book an appointment time online or email us at Mel@simplewellness.com.au if you have questions before making a booking.
Mel is a Myotherapist based in Ferntree Gully.