A New Sense of Calm

Providence Little Company of Mary provides focused ultrasound to deliver relief from tremors.

Two days after his focused ultrasound treatment, Damian A. Rivera went about his usual routine in his garage. Then he picked up his welding equipment and noticed something was different. His right hand was steady.

“Steady as a rock,” says Rivera, 70, a retiree who had spent years adapting to essential tremors that affected both of his hands. “It brought tears to my eyes.”

Essential tremor is a neurological condition that causes involuntary shaking, most often in the hands and arms, and affects an estimated 1 in 5 people over age 65. The shaking interfered with Rivera’s maintenance technician job, his welding hobby and everyday tasks at home. He felt a constant nervous state throughout his body, which often left him depressed.

Medications offered little relief, so his neurologist referred Rivera to Jean-Philippe Langevin, MD, a neurosurgeon who specializes in movement disorders and neuromodulation at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance.

“Sometimes medication alone will make an improvement in the tremor,” says Dr. Langevin. “Mr. Rivera had tried a number of medications, which were mostly ineffective, so he qualified for focused ultrasound.”

Providence Little Company of Mary launched its focused ultrasound program in 2025, becoming the only South Bay hospital to offer the treatment. Thanks to the generosity of Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation donors, patients now have access to leading-edge therapy close to home, helping many regain independence and improve their quality of life.

Holding a glass of water, signing your name and other routine tasks can be challenging for people living with essential tremor. Focused ultrasound is helping patients regain control and independence without traditional brain surgery.

The minimally invasive, incisionless procedure uses high-intensity ultrasound waves guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to target a small area deep within the brain. During the procedure, patients remain awake and communicate with physicians, allowing them to assess the effects in real time. Patients generally experience relief from shaking during the ultrasound. They return home the same day, needing minimal recovery time, and for most the full benefits are evident within a few days.

Rivera underwent the procedure in June. While he remembers feeling nervous during the treatment, he says the medical team helped put him at ease.

Two days later, he picked up his welding tools in his garage. For the first time in years, he was able to focus on the work rather than the shaking in his hands. That night, he says, “I noticed that my whole body was so calm and relaxed.”

“Mr. Rivera was so excited to have regained steadiness in his right hand, he built a fence around his property the day after the procedure!” shares Dr. Langevin.

Although focused ultrasound does not cure essential tremor or prevent an underlying neurological disease from progressing, it can provide immediate and long-lasting relief from shaking. While Rivera still experiences some minor physical challenges, he says the treatment has made a “huge difference” and friends notice the changes.

“Patients report that the treatment allows them to gain their life back,” says Dr. Langevin. “It’s an amazing feeling to see patients glowing with happiness because of the improvement in their quality of life.”