Your care team includes specialists and subspecialists only available at academic health systems like MU Health Care. Here, you’ll find experts such as:

• Neurologists: Specialists in caring for all types of movement disorders.
• Neurosurgeons: Offer advanced treatments like deep brain stimulation and image-guided surgery for certain movement disorders.
• Psychiatrists: Help diagnose and treat conditions like tics and Tourette syndrome.
• Neuropsychologists: Offer advanced testing to diagnose movement disorders that can affect cognitive (thinking) functions.
• Genetic counselors: Offer genetic testing for Huntington’s disease and other inherited movement disorders.
• Rehabilitation medicine specialists: Design physician-led care plans to help patients maintain function with a movement disorder.
• Neurorehabilitation experts, including physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists: Specialize in treating movement disorders.
• Nurse navigators: Help arrange your appointments and provide education and resources for your entire family. 

If you have a local neurologist or primary care provider, we will also work closely with them on your care plan.

We also have experienced pediatric neurologists and pediatric neurosurgeons who treat tics, tremors and other movement disorders in kids.

Movement disorders are serious conditions that require expert diagnosis and care. Get help if you or a loved one has these symptoms:

• Uncontrolled body movements like jerking or twisting
• Shaky hands
• Uncontrolled eye or facial movements
• Unusually stiff or slow movements
• Difficulty walking
• Poor balance
• Urinary incontinence
• Behavior or memory changes

Your primary care provider or another specialist can refer you to our team. You can also reach out to us directly if you would like to get a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment plan.

Some movement disorders can be difficult to diagnose, or they may be confused with other conditions. That’s why getting a precise diagnosis early on is essential for your care.

When you first meet with our team, we’ll conduct a thorough examination. We’ll also review your medical history and imaging from other centers. Other tests we may order include:

• Blood tests: Check for issues with hormones, nutrition or metabolism that may cause unusual body movements.
• Genetic testing: Can diagnose certain inherited movement disorders.
• Skin biopsy: Checks for a protein associated with Parkinson’s disease, a type of movement disorder.
• Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Imaging tests that can look for structural brain issues.
• Dopamine transporter scan: Uses a small amount of radioactive material to measure cell activity in brain regions that control movement.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study: Checks spinal fluid for signs of disease.

We offer many advanced therapies for movement disorders, including conditions that are not responsive to standard medication. Options include:

• Botox injections: Can reduce muscle contractions and involuntary muscle movements.
• DUOPA pumps: Deliver Parkinson’s disease medicine through a tube to your intestine to improve symptom control.
• Subcutaneous pumps: Wearable pumps that deliver Parkinson’s medicine continuously under the skin.
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS): Can improve motor function for Parkinson’s, essential tremor and other conditions.

Because movement disorders can affect many aspects of your life, we offer patient-centered care services to support you, including:

• Neurological rehabilitation to improve walking, hand-eye coordination, speaking and other functions
• Speech therapy to help with swallowing and speaking issues
• Individual, couples and family counseling through our behavioral health team
• Help managing pain and other symptoms through our palliative care services
• A monthly support group for patients, family and caregivers with Parkinson’s disease