Complete Care From Our Expert Neurologists
Every move you make depends on your nervous system. The brain sends signals down the spinal cord and to your nerves that tell the muscles when and how to move. But if you have a movement disorder, your muscles move on their own because of a problem with your nervous system.
If you or your doctor suspects that you have a movement disorder, you need advanced care from specialists who know what it takes to manage and treat these conditions. That’s what you’ll get from our team at Baystate Health. We’re western Massachusetts’ leader in neuroscience care, including movement disorders.
Signs and Diagnosis of Movement Disorders
Some movement disorders are more severe than others. However, they nearly always involve involuntary muscle movements, such as:
- Abnormal muscle contractions or twitches
- Feelings of restlessness or urges to move
- Tics (compulsive moments that are hard to control), often in the eyelids or other facial muscles
- Tremors (uncontrollable shaking)
- Uncontrollable movement or walking
If you have one or more of these symptoms, your doctor may refer you to us for an exam and diagnosis. We use advanced testing methods to accurately diagnose movement disorders. Learn more about our diagnostic options.
Movement Disorders We Treat
Our neurologists care for patients from throughout western Massachusetts with the full range of movement disorders. Some of the many movement disorders we treat include:
-
Ataxia (lack of muscle control or coordination)
- Blepharospasm (involuntary closure or spasms of the eyelids)
- Dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions)
- Essential tremor (involuntary shaking, especially in the hands or arms)
- Hemifacial spasm (involuntary movements of the muscles on one side of the face)
- Huntington’s disease (a brain disease that can lead to uncontrolled movements)
- Parkinson’s disease (a condition that causes tremors, rigid muscles and slow movement)
- Restless leg syndrome (a sleep disorder that involves an uncontrollable urge to move the legs when sitting or lying down)
Our Treatment Options for Movement Disorders
We have the advanced training and expertise to provide the care you need. You’ll work closely with your care team to create a treatment plan that is personalized for your unique needs. Your treatment plan may include:
In many cases, we’re able to successfully treat movement disorders with one or more of these approaches. For some, however, there is no cure for their movement disorders. In these cases, we work with patients to successfully manage their diseases, focusing on symptom control, pain relief and improved quality of life.