What Kind of Doctor Should I be Seeing

Essential Tremor patients are advised to consult a movement disorders specialist, a neurologist with additional training in conditions such as Essential Tremor that primarily affect physical movement. While a general neurologist may treat over 100 neurological conditions, a movement disorders specialist concentrates on a few specific disorders. These specialists are often affiliated with reputable universities or teaching hospitals.

If you experience tremors, you might need to find a movement disorder specialist—a neurologist with specialized training in Essential Tremor, which primarily affects physical movement. Although a general neurologist may treat more than 100 neurological conditions, a movement disorders specialist focuses on a select few disorders. Such specialists are also frequently affiliated with reputable universities or teaching hospitals.​

Movement Disorder Specialist Directory
How do I find a good movement disorders specialist? 
​It's a lot like hunting for a good dentist or a good mechanic: You need to ask around. Your primary care doctor may be able to give you a referral. If you attend a support group, ask other disorder patients. You can also post requests on Internet bulletin board sites. But remember that the Internet should only serve as a starting point for your research and education, not your only source of information since it is so often difficult to source and verify the advice you find there.

The Duties of a Neurologist Understanding Different Neurological Specialties
Neurologists have different duties which may vary a great deal according to the area they specialize in. There are a few different areas in which a neurologist may specialize in such as: surgical, clinical, or research-based. Regardless of specialty, all neurologists must diagnose, treat, and monitor nervous system disorders.

  • Research neurologists 
A research neurologist  may not ever work with traditional patients. They work out of sight of the public, creating medical treatments for nervous system disorders. Although you may never visit one of these doctors, they are very important. These neurologists research how the nervous system works with other systems in the body. They also study nervous system disorders and use this information to develop treatment options for nerve disorders. 


  • Surgical neurologists 
Some neurologists focus on virtually any type of nervous system surgery. Surgical neurologists most often specialize in brain and spine surgery. Some surgical neurologists may perform surgeries related to chronic nerve disorders, but most surgical neurologists focus on repairing nerve problems such as pinched nerves, nerve pressure, or nerve damage. There are some surgical neurologists who must decipher imaging in order to make recommendations for the correct treatment for each issue. Depending on the doctor, some choose to see patients for follow-up appointments while others will refer the patient to a clinical neurologist. 


  • Clinical neurologists 
Patients who suspect they have some sort of neurological disorder will deal with the clinical neurologist  first. The clinical neurologist can give an initial diagnosis. This doctor will look at all the symptoms and complete diagnostic testing in order to formulate an appropriate diagnosis for your condition. Next, a treatment plan will most likely be recommended. If the treatment is non-surgical, then you will continue to be treated by the clinical neurologist. The clinical neurologist will be responsible for monitoring and carrying out any other follow-up treatment that's needed. Whenever surgical treatment becomes necessary, the clinical neurologist will refer you to a surgical neurologist.

Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor