Understanding Movement Disorders: When to Seek Expert Neurological Care

It’s easy to take your ability to move freely for granted. However, when movement becomes difficult, whether due to a subtle tremor, slowness of movement or slow shuffling gait, the changes can feel unsettling. Often, these symptoms can be signs of a movement disorder, one of a group of neurological conditions that affect the brain’s ability to control your voluntary and involuntary movements.

Our expert neurology provider, Michael Lagoe, APRN, simplifies the basics to help you understand the signs of a movement disorder and determine when it’s time to seek treatment.

What Is a Movement Disorder?

Movement disorders are neurological conditions that cause one or more of the following side effects:

• Tremors
• Slowness of movement
• Slow, shuffling gait
• Rigidity or stiffness
• Postural instability

People with a movement disorder may experience too much movement or muscle contractions (like tremors or spasms/dystonia) or too little (like stiffness or slowed motion). These disorders can interfere with many everyday tasks like speaking, walking and writing, and they can be caused by one of the following:

• Brain injury or stroke
• Genetic factors
• Infection
• Prior exposure to toxins/neurotoxins
• Side effects from certain medications

Types of Movement Disorders

There are many types of movement disorders, each with unique symptoms and causes. Some of the most common include:

• Essential tremor: The most common movement disorder, often affecting the hands or head, causing rhythmic shaking
• Parkinson’s disease: A progressive condition that causes tremors, stiffness and slowed movement
• Dystonia: Involuntary muscle contractions that lead to twisting movements or abnormal postures
• Ataxia: A condition affecting balance and coordination

“While each movement disorder presents its own challenges, recognizing the signs early and understanding the differences can be the first step toward effective treatment,” Michael says.

Recognizing the Symptoms of a Movement Disorder

Common symptoms of movement disorders include:

• Tremors: Shaking in the hands, legs, head or voice
• Slowed movements: Trouble initiating or completing movements
• Stiffness: Muscle rigidity that makes moving around difficult
• Sudden, involuntary movements: jerks, twitches or spasms
• Coordination issues: Difficulty balancing, walking or performing fine motor tasks

If you develop any of these symptoms, especially if they appear suddenly or worsen over time, it’s essential to talk to your health care provider about your concerns. Testing for movement disorders can involve blood tests, genetic testing, skin biopsy testing or imaging, such as an MRI, CT scan or DaTscan.

Treatment Options

Treatment for movement disorders can vary depending on the specific condition. “At AdventHealth, care begins with understanding your unique symptoms, lifestyle and health goals,” explains Michael. “From there, our experts create a personalized plan to treat your needs best.”

Common treatment approaches may include one or more of the following:

• Medications
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• MR Focused Ultrasound
• Botox injections
• Lifestyle care to manage other medical conditions that may be causing symptoms

“Treatment is about more than managing symptoms. It’s about finding the right balance to support your whole health,” says Michael.

Expert Care for Movement Disorders at AdventHealth

Movement disorders can be life-altering, but with the right care, they don’t have to define your future. Whether you’re noticing subtle changes or managing persistent symptoms, our expert team is here to help. With compassionate providers, like Michael Lagoe, advanced treatments and whole-person support, we’ll see you through every step of your journey.

Schedule an appointment with Michael to learn more.