HIFU

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy can provide lasting relief from involuntary shaking that stems from Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. The skilled neurology team at the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida offer HIFU therapy in-office to reduce the severity of shaking. The technology requires no incisions and minimal downtime, so you can get back to your routine quickly. Call the Delray Beach or Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, office to learn more about the benefits of HIFU therapy or book an appointment online today. 

What is HIFU therapy?

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a noninvasive therapy to treat essential tremor, a disorder that causes uncontrolled and involuntary shaking of the hands and other parts of the body.

The Brain and Spine Center of South Florida offers HIFU therapy as an alternative to more invasive procedures like deep brain stimulation. The specialists can also use HIFU technology to treat tremors and rigidity that develop from Parkinson’s disease.

You might be a candidate for HIFU therapy if medications or other strategies aren’t effective at treating or preventing tremors. Treatment with HIFU technology can ease the severity of your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

The medical team determines if HIFU therapy is right for you by reviewing your medical history and assessing the severity of your essential tremor symptoms.

How does HIFU therapy work?

HIFU technology uses focused ultrasound beams to create lesions in the thalamus area of your brain where tremors originate. The lesions interfere with abnormal signals from your brain that trigger tremors.

During your procedure, you remain awake while lying in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The Brain and Spine Center of South Florida team align the ultrasound beams to target specific parts of your brain.

The ultrasound energy creates lesions in the tissue or destroys specific brain cells to stop tremors without damaging surrounding tissue. The medical team can visualize the treatment area in real-time throughout your treatment, so they can destroy targeted cells with high precision.

What are the benefits of HIFU therapy?

HIFU therapy is an effective treatment for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease symptoms. The noninvasive technology can provide fast, long-lasting relief of involuntary shaking and muscle rigidity that puts limitations on a physically active lifestyle.

Less shaking makes it easier to complete day-to-day tasks like tying your shoes, brushing your teeth, and eating.

Because HIFU requires no incisions, downtime is minimal and your risk for infection and other complications is low. Soon after treatment, you can expect to go back to your usual routine without limitations.

Call the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida near you to schedule a HIFU consultation or book an appointment online today.