Every movement we make — from getting out of bed in the morning to walking down the street — requires swift, effective communication between the components of our central nervous system (our brain and spinal cord), nerves and muscles.
Movement disorders are neurological conditions that can develop when there is a breakdown in this communication system, due to cells in the brain that are not functioning properly or have been damaged in some way. Movement disorders affect a person’s ability to control and coordinate how they move their body.
Symptoms of movement disorders
Symptoms of movement disorders vary in severity. Common symptoms include:
- Involuntary movements such as spasms, tremors or shaking
- Difficulty initiating, coordinating or maintaining voluntary movement
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
- Difficulty with speech
- Muscle stiffness or rigidity
- Reduced or slowed movement
Conditions we treat
At MultiCare, we treat a number of movement-related symptoms and disorders, including:
- Chorea. This movement disorder can cause spontaneous, involuntary and irregular muscle movements in various parts of the body.
- Dystonia. Dystonia results in sustained muscle contractions that lead to repetitive twisting movements or abnormal postures. Types of dystonia include torticollis (affects the neck), blepharospasm (affects the eyes) and spasmodic dysphonia (affects the larynx or voice box).
- Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease is a rare inherited condition that causes nerve cells in the brain to break down over time. This disease can lead to irregular movement, emotional changes and cognitive decline.
- Parkinson’s disease. One of the most common movement disorders, Parkinson’s disease is caused in part by nerve cells that degenerate due to a lack of dopamine — a chemical that sends signals to parts of the brain that control movement. Common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include tremors, stiffness, bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and problems with balance that increase over time.
- Spasticity. Caused by a variety of neurological conditions, spasticity causes muscle stiffness or tightness and can interfere with voluntary muscle movements.
- Tardive dyskinesia. A side effect of long-term use of certain medications, tardive dyskinesia can cause repetitive involuntary movements, often of the face or limbs.
- Tourette syndrome. This neurological condition causes sudden repetitive movements or unintended sounds (known as tics) that are difficult to control. Tics can range in severity and may include actions like blinking, humming, sniffing, jerking an arm or leg, or blurting out words or phrases.
- Essential tremor. Another common movement disorder, essential tremor causes involuntary trembling in various parts of the body, often in the hands or head.
Diagnosing and treating movement disorders
To diagnose a movement disorder, your doctor will review your medial history, discuss your symptoms and conduct a neurological exam. Testing may be required to assess nerve responses, movement, muscle strength, reflexes and vision. Those tests may include:
- Blood test
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Nerve conduction studies
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
- Medical imaging tests such as MRIs or CT scans
Learn more about types of neurological testing and evaluation.
Treatment for movement disorders depends on the specific condition and its underlying causes. Your treatment plan may involve medications, rehabilitation (including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy), deep brain stimulation or other therapeutic approaches to manage and lessen symptoms.