Understanding the Symptoms of Movement Disorders

It’s easy to take for granted the ability to walk, exercise or just sit still. But if you have a neurological movement disorder, the brain’s communication with the body is disrupted. This can cause excessive movement or reduced or slow movements. Depending on the disorder, the movements might not be under your control. 

Recognizing the symptoms of movement disorders can help you get a diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible, which can help improve your quality of life. 

Symptoms of Movement ​​Disorders

Neurological movement disorders can cause a range of symptoms, including slowness, stiffness, muscle jerking or tremors. The most common movement disorders include:

Ataxia: Affects coordination and balance, which can make movements feel clumsy or unsteady. People may have trouble walking, using their hands or maintaining balance. Speech may sound slurred and vision can be affected by jerky eye movements.  

Dystonia: Causes involuntary muscle contractions that lead to twisting movements or abnormal postures. It may affect just one part of the body (focal dystonia) or multiple areas (generalized dystonia). Focal dystonia often appears in adults and may be linked to repeated use of a body part, such as writer’s cramp. Generalized dystonia usually begins in childhood due to a genetic condition and often starts in the foot before spreading to other areas.

Essential tremor (ET): The most common movement disorder in older adults. It causes rhythmic shaking, most often in the hands and arms. Over time, the tremor can worsen and make everyday tasks like writing, eating or drinking more difficult. 

Huntington’s disease: An inherited condition that affects nerve cells involved in movement control. It causes involuntary, dance-like movements called chorea. People with Huntington’s disease may also experience changes in thinking, behavior and mental health.

Parkinson’s disease (PD): Commonly causes tremor at rest, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and balance problems. It can also cause non-movement symptoms such as loss of smell, constipation or sleep problems — sometimes years before movement symptoms begin.

​​​Tourette syndrome: Usually begins in childhood and causes repeated motor and vocal tics. Motor tics include sudden movements or twitches, while vocal tics may include throat-clearing, sniffing or repeating sounds or words. Although these actions are voluntary, they are driven by an involuntary urge. Tourette syndrome is often associated with OCD or ADHD and frequently improves or resolves by early adulthood. 

Causes of Tremors and Involuntary Movements 

When the parts of the brain that control movement are damaged, movement disorders can happen. It is common for people with movement disorders to not know what caused their condition. But some known causes of tremors and involuntary movements include:  

• Alcohol and illegal drugs: Drinking a lot of alcohol or using illicit drugs like cocaine can lead to movement disorders.
• Genetics: Some conditions, such as Huntington’s disease, are inherited, meaning they run in families.
• Head trauma: Movement disorders can be triggered by a brain injury.
• Low vitamin levels: Not getting enough vitamin B1, B12 or E can cause ataxia.
• Medical issues: Brain tumors, thyroid conditions, multiple sclerosis, stroke, viral encephalitis and other conditions can lead to a movement disorder.  
• Medications: Chronic use of older seizure, nausea and anti-psychotic medications may increase risk.  

Treatments for Neurological Movement Disorders

The treatment options for movement disorders are as diverse as the conditions themselves. While most don’t have a cure, treatment can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment options can include:  

• Botulinum toxin injections to help relax overactive muscles when appropriate.
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical treatment that uses implanted electrodes to help control symptoms in advanced Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and essential tremor.
• Focused ultrasound or Gamma Knife procedures, noninvasive or minimally invasive treatments that target specific areas of the brain for advanced essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease.
• Medications to help manage symptoms such as tremor, stiffness or slowed movement.
• Movement aids, including canes, walkers or wheelchairs, to improve safety and independence.
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy to support mobility, daily activities and communication.
• Talk therapy to help manage emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges related to living with a movement disorder.