High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) offers a next-generation incisionless outpatient procedure for patients with essential tremor who don’t get acceptable tremor relief from medications. Experts at Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care have experience in delivering this leading-edge treatment.
Abnormal electrical activity deep in your brain causes essential tremor. HIFU therapy uses image-guided ultrasound to deliver ultrasound energy (sound waves) to the area of your brain where this abnormal electrical activity is happening. The ultrasound energy destroys the cells causing the abnormal electrical activity.
During HIFU you will be inside an MRI scanner. This lets your doctor target the exact area in your brain with abnormal electrical activity.
After HIFU treatment, you should feel your tremor symptoms subside immediately. HIFU is a noninvasive treatment that allows you to recover quickly and return to your normal activities. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved HIFU to treat tremor on both sides of your body.
Benefits of HIFU Treatment
Incisionless Treatments
- Little to no risk of infection
- Minimal or no hospitalization
- No general anesthesia required
- No invasive burr holes or implants
Immediate and Significant Results
- Immediate tremor improvement post-procedure
- Improved quality of life
- Tremor stably maintained at three years
Side Effects of HIFU Treatment
Some side effects are possible after HIFU treatment. You may experience:
- Balance problems
- Difficulty with speech and swallowing
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Numbness

HIFU Results You Can See
In real-time, we confirm the tremor is getting better. We talk with you to make sure you’re comfortable, and we take more pictures using MRI. We may ask you to move in certain ways or to write or draw to see how your tremor responds.

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The Baptist Health Symposium for Parkinson’s Disease Patients and Care Partners will provide useful education to patients and caregivers about the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. This event will promote a comprehensive and multidisciplinary patient-centric care model featuring specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, physiatry, psychiatry, nutrition, and physical, occupational and speech therapy.
February 7, 2025
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST
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Are you a candidate for HIFU treatment?
- Do you have a family history of tremor?
- Does your tremor get worse with activity and better when you're at rest?
- Does your tremor improve with alcohol?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions or previously received HIFU treatment for your tremor on your dominant hand, you may be a candidate for this procedure.
HIFU is now approved by the FDA to be performed on both sides of the brain. If you received HIFU treatment for one side of your body, you may now be eligible for complete tremor relief.

First of all, I would say thank you and I’d like to encourage people that might be suffering from this situation — please go check it out,” says Mr. Rodriguez. “It’s not painful at all. And, believe me, you’re going to know the difference — it’s like you’re feeling brand new again.
Meet the Team
Justin Matthew Sporrer, M.D.
Neurosurgeon and Director of Functional Neurosurgery, Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute
Timothy Miller, M.D.
Neurosurgeon and Director of Functional Neurosurgery, Marcus Neuroscience Institute

This is a praise. This is a high five. This is everything. Just be brave enough to say, ‘Yes, I’ll do it,’ and go forward. And you will never regret it, never.
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8950 N Kendall Drive, Suite 407W Miami, FL 33176
Marcus Neuroscience Institute | Boca Raton
800 Meadows Road Boca Raton, FL 33486Recent Neurology News
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