Loss of coordination, making walking, balance, and fine movements difficult.

Uncontrollable blinking or eyelid squeezing that can make it hard to keep your eyes open.

A condition where neck muscles tighten on their own, making the head twist or tilt in uncomfortable ways.

Fast, jerky, unpredictable movements that seem to flow from one body part to another.

Corticobasal degeneration

A rare brain disease that causes stiffness, trouble moving one side of the body, and problems with thinking and speech.

Dementia with lewy bodies (DLB)

A type of dementia that causes memory and thinking problems along with movement issues. People may see things that aren’t there and have sleep disturbances.

Drug-induced movement disorders

Unwanted movements caused by certain medications, such as shaking, stiffness, or muscle spasms.

Shaking caused by certain medications. It often goes away if the drug is stopped.

Muscles tighten or spasm without warning, causing twisting movements or awkward postures.

A common condition that causes shaking, usually in the hands, especially when doing tasks like writing or drinking from a cup.

Twitching or spasms on one side of the face, often starting around the eye.

A condition that combines eyelid spasms and jaw muscle tightening, causing blinking and facial movements you can’t control.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA)

A rare disease that affects movement, balance, and automatic body functions like blood pressure and bladder control. It can look similar to Parkinson’s but progresses faster.

Sudden, quick jerks of muscles, like hiccups or sleep twitches, but can also happen due to brain or nerve problems.

Oromandibular dystonia

Involuntary tightening of muscles in the jaw, face, or tongue, making it hard to speak, chew, or swallow.

Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)

Repeated leg or arm jerks during sleep that can disturb rest and cause daytime tiredness.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)

A rare condition that affects balance, movement, and eye control. People often have trouble looking up or down and may fall frequently.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

An urge to move your legs, often with uncomfortable feelings, usually worse at night and relieved by movement.

Spinocerebellar ataxia

An inherited condition that slowly damages the part of the brain that controls balance, causing worsening coordination problems.

Uncontrolled, repetitive movements (often of the face or tongue) caused by long-term use of some mental health medications.

Sudden, repeated movements or sounds that people feel they have to do, like blinking or throat clearing.

A condition with multiple tics — both movements and sounds — that last for more than a year.

When should you see a neurologist for movement symptoms?

You should consider seeing a neurologist if you notice new, persistent, or worsening changes in movement, such as tremors, stiffness, slowed movement, muscle spasms, or problems with balance and coordination. While some movement changes can be mild or temporary, ongoing symptoms may signal an underlying neurological condition. A neurologist who specializes in movement disorders can evaluate your symptoms, determine the cause, and recommend appropriate treatment if needed. Early evaluation can help clarify what’s normal and when care may be beneficial.

What symptoms should prompt a movement disorder evaluation?

A movement disorder evaluation may be appropriate if you experience: Tremors or shaking. Muscle stiffness or rigidity. Slowed movements. Involuntary movements or jerking. Changes in balance or coordination. Difficulty with walking or fine motor tasks. Muscle contractions that cause abnormal postures. If symptoms interfere with daily activities, worsen over time, or cause concern, a consultation with a movement disorder specialist can help evaluate and determine next steps.

How do you know if symptoms are serious?

Movement symptoms should be evaluated if they are persistent, progressive, or affecting your quality of life. Sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms, significant balance problems, or changes accompanied by confusion, weakness, or difficulty speaking should be addressed promptly. Even mild symptoms can benefit from evaluation, as many movement disorders are more effectively managed when identified early. A neurologist can help determine whether your symptoms require monitoring, further testing, or treatment.

What tests are used to evaluate movement disorders?

The evaluation of movement disorders typically begins with a detailed medical history and neurological examination. Your neurologist will assess muscle tone, coordination, reflexes, balance, and movement patterns. Depending on your symptoms, additional testing may include: Blood tests. Brain imaging, such as MRI. Electromyography (EMG). Specialized movement assessments. Not every patient requires advanced testing. The specific tests recommended will depend on your symptoms and overall health.

Are movement disorders hereditary?

Some movement disorders have a genetic or inherited component, while others develop for different reasons, including age-related changes, medication side effects, or underlying neurological conditions. If you have a family history of a movement disorder, your neurologist may discuss whether genetic counseling or testing is appropriate. However, having a relative with a movement disorder does not necessarily mean you will develop the same condition.

Movement Disorder Care

What Are Movement Disorders?

Movement disorders are neurological health conditions that affect how your body moves. They can make you move too much (like shaking or sudden jerks) or too little (like stiffness or slowness). These problems usually happen because of changes in the brain areas that help control movement.

Some common movement disorders include Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, Huntington’s disease, dystonia, ataxia, and Tourette syndrome. They can affect balance, muscle control, coordination, and how smoothly you move. Symptoms may include shaking, stiffness, or movements you can’t control. Our board-certified neurologists offer personalized treatment plans for patients with these conditions.

Meet Our Providers

Learn More About Conditions We Treat

Here are some of the conditions or diseases we treat. For more information on treatment options, please speak with your health care provider.

Ataxia

Loss of coordination, making walking, balance, and fine movements difficult.
Blepharospasm

Uncontrollable blinking or eyelid squeezing that can make it hard to keep your eyes open.
Cervical dystonia

A condition where neck muscles tighten on their own, making the head twist or tilt in uncomfortable ways.
Chorea

Fast, jerky, unpredictable movements that seem to flow from one body part to another.
Corticobasal degeneration

A rare brain disease that causes stiffness, trouble moving one side of the body, and problems with thinking and speech.
Dementia with lewy bodies (DLB)

A type of dementia that causes memory and thinking problems along with movement issues. People may see things that aren’t there and have sleep disturbances.
Drug-induced movement disorders

Unwanted movements caused by certain medications, such as shaking, stiffness, or muscle spasms.
Drug-induced tremor

Shaking caused by certain medications. It often goes away if the drug is stopped.
Dystonia

Muscles tighten or spasm without warning, causing twisting movements or awkward postures.
Essential tremor

A common condition that causes shaking, usually in the hands, especially when doing tasks like writing or drinking from a cup.
Hemifacial spasm

Twitching or spasms on one side of the face, often starting around the eye.
Huntington’s disease

An inherited brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, thinking problems, and mood changes over time.

Meige syndrome

A condition that combines eyelid spasms and jaw muscle tightening, causing blinking and facial movements you can’t control.
Multiple system atrophy (MSA)

A rare disease that affects movement, balance, and automatic body functions like blood pressure and bladder control. It can look similar to Parkinson’s but progresses faster.
Myoclonus

Sudden, quick jerks of muscles, like hiccups or sleep twitches, but can also happen due to brain or nerve problems.
Oromandibular dystonia

Involuntary tightening of muscles in the jaw, face, or tongue, making it hard to speak, chew, or swallow.
Parkinson’s disease

A progressive brain disorder that causes shaking, stiffness, and slow movements. It happens because certain brain cells that make dopamine stop working over time.
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)

Repeated leg or arm jerks during sleep that can disturb rest and cause daytime tiredness.
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)

A rare condition that affects balance, movement, and eye control. People often have trouble looking up or down and may fall frequently.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

An urge to move your legs, often with uncomfortable feelings, usually worse at night and relieved by movement.
Spinocerebellar ataxia

An inherited condition that slowly damages the part of the brain that controls balance, causing worsening coordination problems.
Tardive dyskinesia

Uncontrolled, repetitive movements (often of the face or tongue) caused by long-term use of some mental health medications.
Tics

Sudden, repeated movements or sounds that people feel they have to do, like blinking or throat clearing.
Tourette disorder

A condition with multiple tics — both movements and sounds — that last for more than a year.

FAQs About Movement Disorders

When should you see a neurologist for movement symptoms?

You should consider seeing a neurologist if you notice new, persistent, or worsening changes in movement, such as tremors, stiffness, slowed movement, muscle spasms, or problems with balance and coordination. While some movement changes can be mild or temporary, ongoing symptoms may signal an underlying neurological condition.

A neurologist who specializes in movement disorders can evaluate your symptoms, determine the cause, and recommend appropriate treatment if needed. Early evaluation can help clarify what’s normal and when care may be beneficial.
What symptoms should prompt a movement disorder evaluation?
A movement disorder evaluation may be appropriate if you experience:

Tremors or shaking.

Muscle stiffness or rigidity.

Slowed movements.

Involuntary movements or jerking.

Changes in balance or coordination.

Difficulty with walking or fine motor tasks.

Muscle contractions that cause abnormal postures.

If symptoms interfere with daily activities, worsen over time, or cause concern, a consultation with a movement disorder specialist can help evaluate and determine next steps.
How do you know if symptoms are serious?

Movement symptoms should be evaluated if they are persistent, progressive, or affecting your quality of life. Sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms, significant balance problems, or changes accompanied by confusion, weakness, or difficulty speaking should be addressed promptly.

Even mild symptoms can benefit from evaluation, as many movement disorders are more effectively managed when identified early. A neurologist can help determine whether your symptoms require monitoring, further testing, or treatment.
What tests are used to evaluate movement disorders?
The evaluation of movement disorders typically begins with a detailed medical history and neurological examination. Your neurologist will assess muscle tone, coordination, reflexes, balance, and movement patterns.

Depending on your symptoms, additional testing may include:

Blood tests.

Brain imaging, such as MRI.

Electromyography (EMG).

Specialized movement assessments.

Not every patient requires advanced testing. The specific tests recommended will depend on your symptoms and overall health.
Are movement disorders hereditary?

Some movement disorders have a genetic or inherited component, while others develop for different reasons, including age-related changes, medication side effects, or underlying neurological conditions.

If you have a family history of a movement disorder, your neurologist may discuss whether genetic counseling or testing is appropriate. However, having a relative with a movement disorder does not necessarily mean you will develop the same condition.