Conditions We Treat
Movement Disorders
Overview
Movement disorder is a broad term for a group of neurological conditions that affect how you move. That can mean involuntary movements like tremor, slowness or loss of voluntary movement, or trouble with balance and coordination.
These conditions can be genetic or can result from infections, certain medications, damage to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves, stroke, or other causes. Some movement disorders are mild and do not limit daily life, while others are more serious and tend to progress over time.
Treatment depends on the specific disorder. Some can be treated effectively, and others improve when an underlying cause is addressed. When a condition cannot be cured, the focus turns to controlling symptoms, easing discomfort, and protecting quality of life as much as possible.
Symptoms
Signs of a movement disorder
Movement disorders can affect how you move in many ways. Common signs include:
- Tremor, twitching, or muscle spasms
- Slow movement or stiffness of the limbs and trunk
- Clumsiness, poor balance, or an unsteady walk
- Trouble with fine tasks like buttoning a shirt or writing
- Difficulty with speech or swallowing
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease
A progressive condition that gradually affects movement. Its main features are:
- Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
- Stiffness or rigidity of the limbs
- Tremor, often most noticeable at rest
- Impaired balance and posture
Essential Tremor
Essential tremor
A common tremor, often confused with Parkinson's. The key difference:
- It is an action tremor, most noticeable when the hands are in use
- It improves when the limb is at rest
- It often affects both hands, and sometimes the head and voice
Ataxia
Ataxia
A loss of muscle coordination from problems in the brain, brainstem, or spinal cord. It can cause:
- Poor balance and an unsteady, wide-based walk
- Clumsiness with the hands, arms, and legs
- Slurred speech and eye-movement problems
Huntington's Disease
Huntington's disease
An inherited, progressive disease that affects movement and thinking. It typically begins between ages 30 and 50 and can cause:
- Uncontrolled movements (chorea)
- Trouble with coordination, speech, and swallowing
- Changes in mood, thinking, and judgment
Each child of a parent with Huntington's has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene.
Diagnosis
How movement disorders are evaluated
Diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on a careful look at how you move. It may include:
- A detailed history and a neurological exam
- Observing the pattern of tremor, stiffness, or coordination problems
- Brain imaging such as MRI to look for other causes
- Genetic testing for inherited conditions like Huntington's disease
Treatment
How movement disorders are treated
While some conditions cannot be cured, treatment can meaningfully improve daily life:
- Medication to manage tremor, stiffness, and slowness
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Deep brain stimulation for select patients with Parkinson's
- Ongoing care to adjust the plan as needs change
Our Approach
How we help
Many conditions cause abnormal movement, and telling them apart is the first step. Our board-certified providers evaluate your symptoms, confirm the diagnosis, and build a plan to manage them. While some movement disorders have no cure, treatment, from medication to physical, occupational, and speech therapy, can meaningfully improve day-to-day life. For select patients with Parkinson's, advanced options such as deep brain stimulation may be considered.
Good to Know
Movement Disorders: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's is a progressive brain disorder that affects movement. Its four main symptoms are slowness of movement, stiffness or rigidity, tremor (often at rest), and impaired balance. Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's.
How is essential tremor different from Parkinson's disease?
Essential tremor is an action tremor, meaning it is most noticeable when the hands are being used, such as writing or holding a cup, and it eases at rest. The tremor of Parkinson's is the opposite: it is most noticeable when the limb is at rest and lessens with movement.
Is there treatment for Parkinson's disease?
There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed. Options include medication and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. For some people with advanced symptoms, deep brain stimulation, a surgical treatment, can help control tremor, stiffness, and slowness.
What is Huntington's disease?
Huntington's is an inherited, progressive disease that causes brain cells to break down, leading to uncontrolled movements, trouble with coordination and speech, and changes in thinking and behavior. It usually begins between ages 30 and 50, and each child of an affected parent has a 50 percent chance of inheriting it.
What is ataxia?
Ataxia is a loss of muscle coordination caused by problems in the brain, brainstem, or spinal cord. It can lead to an unsteady walk, clumsiness, slurred speech, and eye-movement problems. It has many possible causes, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, and certain vitamin deficiencies.
If some of these conditions have no cure, why see a neurologist?
An accurate diagnosis guides the right treatment, and treatment can make a real difference in comfort, safety, and quality of life, even when a condition cannot be cured. Ongoing neurology care also helps you adjust the plan as your needs change over time.
We're here to help