Quick Answer
Tremor is separated primarily by when it appears: at rest points toward Parkinson’s disease, in use toward essential tremor. Neither is diagnosed by a scan. Assessed at 7751 W. Flamingo Road, Suite A-100, Las Vegas NV 89147. Bring your referral, insurance card and any prior imaging reports to the first visit.
Part ofThis guide sits beneath parkinson's disease and tremor, which covers the study itself, how it is performed and what the report should contain.
Parkinson's Disease and Tremor →Key Takeaways
- Whether the tremor appears at rest or in use is more informative than how severe it is.
- Essential tremor is considerably more common than Parkinson’s disease.
- Neither is diagnosed by a scan. Imaging excludes other causes rather than confirming either.
- Medication-induced tremor is common and reversible, which is why a full medication list matters.
- Assessed at 7751 W. Flamingo Road, Suite A-100, Las Vegas NV 89147. A phone video of the tremor at rest and in use is genuinely useful.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the brain's movement-control circuits, caused by loss of dopamine-producing cells. It is diagnosed clinically from slowness of movement combined with rest tremor or rigidity.
When the tremor appears is the diagnosis
One question separates the two commonest tremor disorders, and patients are rarely asked it plainly: does the tremor appear when the hand is doing nothing, or when it is doing something.
Rest against action
A tremor present when the hand lies still in the lap and easing when the hand reaches for something points toward Parkinson’s disease. A tremor absent at rest but appearing when holding a cup, writing or bringing a spoon to the mouth points toward essential tremor. That distinction is more informative than severity, more informative than which hand, and it is established by observation rather than by any scan.
The other features that separate them
Essential tremor is frequently symmetrical, often affects the head or voice, has a family history in many cases, and is characteristically improved by a small amount of alcohol, which is a diagnostic clue rather than a treatment recommendation. Parkinsonian tremor is usually asymmetrical at onset, and it comes with slowness of movement, stiffness and reduced arm swing rather than appearing alone.
Why it matters that essential tremor is commoner
Essential tremor is more common than Parkinson’s disease, and most people presenting with a new tremor do not have Parkinson’s. That is worth stating early because the fear is usually the reason someone came, and the arithmetic is genuinely reassuring rather than a reassurance offered to be kind.
The tremors that are neither
Enhanced physiological tremor, which everyone has and which becomes visible with caffeine, anxiety, fatigue or thyroid overactivity. Medication-induced tremor, which is common and reversible and includes some asthma inhalers, antidepressants and lithium. And tremor from alcohol withdrawal. Each of those is worth excluding before a chronic diagnosis is settled on, and the first two are corrected rather than managed.
| Also considered | How it is distinguished |
|---|---|
| Essential tremor | Tremor appears with action and posture rather than at rest, is often symmetric, and frequently runs in families. |
| Drug-induced parkinsonism | Follows exposure to dopamine-blocking medication and is usually symmetric; a medication review comes first. |
| Atypical parkinsonian syndromes | Early falls, prominent autonomic change or poor levodopa response point away from typical Parkinson's. |
| Dystonic tremor | Accompanied by abnormal posturing of the affected part. |
What the assessment involves
01
What brings people in
A new tremor, slowness, changed handwriting or gait, or an existing diagnosis that needs review.
02
What the evaluation settles
When the tremor appears — at rest, with posture, or with action — which syndrome the examination fits, and whether medication or another cause is contributing.
03
What you leave with
A clinical diagnosis where the examination supports one, a treatment discussion, and a follow-up interval to confirm the diagnosis over time.
No scan diagnoses this
Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed clinically, by history and examination, and essential tremor likewise. Imaging is used to exclude other causes rather than to confirm either, so a normal scan does not mean a normal examination. Patients frequently expect a definitive test and there is not one, which is worth knowing in advance rather than experiencing as a disappointment.
What to bring
A complete medication list including anything bought without a prescription, because medication-induced tremor is common and reversible. A note of when the tremor appears rather than how bad it is. Whether anyone in the family has a tremor. And where available, a phone video of the tremor at rest and during a task, which is genuinely useful because tremor varies and an office visit samples a moment.
What treatment addresses
For essential tremor, medication where the tremor interferes with function rather than because it exists, and expectations set honestly: treatment reduces amplitude rather than abolishing tremor. For Parkinson’s disease, dopaminergic medication with attention to timing, since the pattern of benefit across a day drives adjustment. Botulinum toxin has a role in some dystonic presentations. Deep brain stimulation is implanted surgically elsewhere; programming and follow-up happen here.
What is not provided
No surgery, so deep brain stimulation implantation is referred. No infusion suite. No inpatient care. Rehabilitation therapies including physiotherapy and speech therapy are coordinated rather than delivered here, and they matter substantially in movement disorders.
The first 30, 60 and 90 days
Step 1
First visit
History and neurological examination, a review of records and prior imaging, and a decision on which studies are actually indicated. You leave with the plan, not just a referral.
Step 2
Within 30 days
Indicated in-office studies are performed and interpreted by the neurologist who ordered them, in our AANEM-accredited laboratories. Results are explained in plain language.
Step 3
60 to 90 days
Follow-up to judge whether the plan is working, adjust it, and coordinate with your referring clinician. Where a diagnosis needs time to confirm, this is where it is revisited.
Attending from Las Vegas
The Las Vegas office is at 7751 W. Flamingo Road, Suite A-100, in Sunrise Medical Plaza, with parking on site. All six in-office studies are performed and interpreted there, so nothing is sent across to Henderson. If you are coming from Summerlin, Spring Valley or Enterprise this is almost always the shorter journey. Adults 18 and older.
Noticed a tremor or a change in movement?
Note when it appears rather than how bad it is, and bring your full medication list.
The Bottom Line
Note when the tremor appears rather than how bad it is, and bring a full medication list. Both change the answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What separates essential tremor from Parkinson’s?
When the tremor appears. A tremor present when the hand rests still and easing when the hand reaches for something points toward Parkinson’s. A tremor absent at rest but appearing when holding a cup or writing points toward essential tremor. Head or voice tremor also points toward essential tremor, while a tremor confined to one hand for months points the other way.
Which is more common?
Essential tremor, by a considerable margin. Most people presenting with a new tremor do not have Parkinson’s disease, which is worth knowing early because the fear is usually the reason someone came. Essential tremor also tends to run in families and to have been present, more mildly, for years before it prompted a visit.
Is there a scan that diagnoses Parkinson’s?
No. It is diagnosed clinically by history and examination, and essential tremor likewise. Imaging is used to exclude other causes rather than to confirm either, so a normal scan does not mean a normal examination. A specialised scan exists that can help separate the two in genuinely unclear cases, but it is not used routinely and it does not replace the examination.
Can medication cause tremor?
Yes, commonly, and it is reversible. Some asthma inhalers, antidepressants and lithium among others. That is why a complete medication list including over-the-counter products matters at the first appointment. Thyroid medication, some anti-nausea drugs and caffeine intake are worth reporting too, and reducing a culprit is frequently the first thing tried.
Should I bring a video?
If you can, yes. Tremor varies through a day and an office visit samples a moment. A short video showing the hand at rest and then during a task is genuinely useful. Film in good light with the hands visible, first resting in the lap and then reaching for or holding an object.
Does treatment stop the tremor?
It reduces amplitude rather than abolishing it, and that expectation is worth setting honestly. For essential tremor, treatment is offered where the tremor interferes with function rather than simply because it exists. For Parkinson’s, medication frequently improves slowness and stiffness more reliably than it improves tremor, which is worth knowing before starting.
Is deep brain stimulation done here?
No. The practice performs no surgery, so implantation happens at a surgical centre. Programming and long-term follow-up of an implanted device are provided here. Candidacy is assessed here first, and the years of programming and medication adjustment that follow are handled here too. That ongoing work, rather than the operation itself, is what determines how well a device performs.
Does alcohol easing my tremor mean anything?
It is a recognised diagnostic clue for essential tremor rather than a treatment recommendation, and worth mentioning at the appointment because it helps separate the tremor types. Using alcohol to manage a tremor creates its own problems, so it is a clue to report rather than a strategy to adopt.
Where exactly is the Las Vegas office?
7751 W. Flamingo Road, Suite A-100, Las Vegas NV 89147, in Sunrise Medical Plaza on the west side of the valley, with parking on site. All six in-office studies are performed and interpreted there, so nothing is referred across to the Henderson office. Summerlin, Spring Valley and Enterprise are generally closer to it than to Horizon Ridge Parkway.
Should I use the Las Vegas or the Henderson office?
Whichever is the shorter drive, since both are fully equipped and hold the same records. West Flamingo Road generally suits the west and southwest of the valley; West Horizon Ridge Parkway suits Green Valley, Anthem and Boulder City. If you can attend either, say so when booking, because availability differs between the two week to week.
How this page was sourced
Practice facts come from Clinical Neurology Specialists directly: that no surgery of any kind is performed, that implanted devices are programmed and followed up at both offices, that botulinum toxin is administered for clinical indications and no cosmetic injections are performed, and that rehabilitation therapies are coordinated rather than delivered on site. Clinical context is sourced to the organisations listed below.
No named medications, doses, stimulation parameters or response rates appear, because selection and adjustment are clinical decisions specific to the individual. Prevalence is described comparatively rather than numerically. No outcome is promised. Scope is adults 18 and older.
Change log
- 2026-07-28 — page published; clinical content reviewed.
- 2026-07-28 — last reviewed against AAN, AANEM and NINDS guidance; internal links and schema verified.
- Review cadence: quarterly, or sooner if guidance changes.
How to cite this page
Clinical Neurology Specialists. “Movement disorder specialist Las Vegas.” Reviewed 2026-07-28. https://www.cnsnevada.com/conditions/parkinsons-tremor/movement-disorder-specialist-las-vegas/
References
- Parkinson's Foundation — patient information and care standards for Parkinson’s disease.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke — the reference catalogue of nervous-system disorders.
- American Academy of Neurology — clinical practice guidance.
This page is for general information about a Clinical Neurology Specialists office and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. It does not create a physician-patient relationship. Adults 18 and older. For an active stroke, a first-time or prolonged seizure, sudden severe headache, sudden weakness, sudden vision loss, or a head injury with loss of consciousness, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.