Movement Disorder Services

Each year, more than 1,000 people with movement disorders are treated by the experts at UPMC.

Although most movement disorders cannot be cured, they often can be effectively treated using medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical interventions to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

The American Parkinson Disease Association has designated UPMC as a Center for Advanced Research, one of just eight such centers in the U.S.

Find the Right Care For You

What Are Movement Disorders?

Movement disorders are neurological conditions that occur when a problem with the nervous system causes abnormal body movements. Some movement disorders cause increased body movements, while others cause reduced or slow body movements. Often, movement disorders cannot be cured, but treatment can control symptoms, reduce discomfort, and improve quality of life.

What Movement Disorders Do We Treat?

Our team of neurologists offers highly specialized care, both medical and surgical, that can greatly improve the quality of life for patients with movement disorders, including:

• Dystonia — Patients with dystonia experience involuntary muscle contractions, abnormal twisting, and repetitive movements.
• Essential tremor — Patients with essential tremor experience uncontrolled shaking, often of the hands or arms, which worsens when the person exerts effort, rather than when resting. Essential tremor may also affect other parts of the body, such as the head, neck, and voice.
• Huntington’s disease— A progressive, hereditary disease causing involuntary movements, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric symptoms.
• Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies —Parkinson’s disease is a progressive movement disorder with symptoms that include slowness, tremor, stiffness, and trouble with balance. Related synucleinopathies include dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy.
• Restless legs syndrome — A sensorimotor neurological disorder that disrupts sleep and causes sensations in the legs that create the urge to get up and move.
• Tauopathies — Including corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Who’s Eligible for Movement Disorder Services?

You may be eligible for movement disorder services if you have symptoms of or have been diagnosed with a movement disorder. 

What Movement Disorder Services Do We Offer?

Our neurologists provide expert diagnosis and ongoing management for a wide range of movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, dystonia, and tremors.

Our services include:

Diagnostic services for movement disorders

Your neurologist will conduct a variety of tests to diagnose your movement disorder, including:

• Blood and urine tests — Performed to rule out other conditions.
• Electromyography (EMG) — Measures electrical impulses along your nerves, nerve roots, and muscles to find out how well your nerves and muscles work together.
• Imaging tests — Your doctor may order imaging exams, such as x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, to evaluate for problems.
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) — During a spinal tap, your neurologist will remove a sample of spinal fluid from your spinal canal to check for problems.
• Neurological exam — During a neurological exam, your doctor will evaluate your thinking and memory skills, as well as your balance, motor skills, and reflexes.

Treatment services for movement disorders

Treatment for movement disorders depends on the specific type of disorder, your symptoms, and the severity of your condition.

Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend one or more treatments, including:

Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections

Botox injections may be used to treat movement disorders that cause muscle spasms or contractions.

Focused ultrasound

Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive procedure to treat essential tremor and Parkinson’s-associated tremor, which can cause involuntary shaking in many parts of the body.

Focused ultrasound uses focused, high-intensity ultrasound beams to target the area of the brain causing tremors. Between 30 and 40 beams converge on a tiny area in the brain. The treatment is highly accurate and effective. Most people see their tremors reduced or eliminated right away.

Lifestyle and nutrition changes

Your doctor may recommend lifestyle or nutrition changes as part of your movement disorder treatment plan. Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep, exercising, and other strategies may help to manage your symptoms and reduce medication side effects.

Medications

Your doctor may recommend medications or supplements to relieve movement disorder symptoms.

Surgery

If medications are not effectively managing your movement disorder, your neurology specialist may recommend surgery.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has proven to be an effective surgical treatment for involuntary movements associated with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia, such as tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity, and problems with walking and balance. UPMC offers both traditional “awake” DBS and the newer MRI-guided “asleep” DBS.

What Can I Expect?

Our program is staffed by experts in movement disorders who develop individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs. Patients may also be invited to participate in clinical trials when appropriate.

For patients with dystonia and other movement disorders, EMG-guided botulinum neurotoxin (Botox) injections may be provided through the weekly clinic. This treatment has been shown to provide significant symptom relief for many people by relaxing the muscles and reducing muscle contractions.

Why Choose UPMC for Movement Disorder Services?

When you choose UPMC for movement disorder services, you will receive:

• Treatment from expert providers — At UPMC, our specialists include board-certified neurologists and advanced practice providers who are committed to helping you manage the physical and emotional aspects of movement disorders.
• Personalized care — Our neurology and neurosurgery specialists understand that movement disorders affect each person differently. That's why we provide you with an accurate diagnosis and create a personalized care plan that uses the latest therapies to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
• Coordinated services — In addition to offering the most advanced treatment options for movement disorders, our specialists work closely with other health care providers and specialists to coordinate your care and connect you with the additional services you need.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-04-21.