NEUROLOGY & SLEEP SPECIALISTS LOCATED IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, ALEXANDRIA, VA, OLD ALEXANDRIA, VA, LORTON, VA, & FALLS CHURCH, VA

Integrated Neurology Services

Neurology & Sleep Specialists Located in Northern Virginia, Alexandria, VA, Old Alexandria, VA, Lorton, VA, & Falls Church, VA

Movement disorders are neurological conditions that influence the speed and quality of your movement. There are many types of movement disorders, but spasticity and dystonia are the most common. At Integrated Neurology Services, with offices across Northern Virginia in Alexandria, Falls Church, and Lorton, also serving the Vienna, VA, community, the experienced neurology team uses state-of-the-art technology to evaluate and treat movement disorders and create individualized plans to alleviate symptoms. For expert care of your movement disorder, call or request an appointment through the online booking tool.

Movement Disorders Q & A

What are movement disorders?

Movement disorders refer to a group of neurological conditions characterized by abnormal movements of the muscles, affecting speed, fluency, and accuracy.

Your central nervous system includes your brain and spinal cord, both of which receive information from your body through your peripheral nervous system. Your brain and spinal cord then process the information and send it back to your body to generate the required action. The coordination between your brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves are responsible for your smile when you see something nice and the quick movement of your hand off a hot stove.

Any damage or malfunction in your central nervous system may result in a movement disorder.

What are the types of movement disorders?

There is a wide spectrum of movement disorders. Types of movement disorders include:

Ataxia
Huntington’s disease
Multiple system atrophies
Myoclonus
Parkinson’s disease
Progressive supranuclear palsy
Restless leg syndrome
Tics
Tourette’s syndrome
Tremors
Wilson’s disease

Spasticity and dystonia are the most common types of movement disorders.

What is spasticity?

Spasticity is a type of movement disorder characterized by stiffness or rigidness of the muscles caused by an abnormal increase in muscle contractions. More than 12 million people worldwide live with spasticity, with about 80% of cases triggered by cerebral palsy.

Spasticity is often caused by damage to the part of the brain or spinal cord responsible for controlling voluntary movements. When untreated, your spasticity can lead to frozen joints or reduced range of motion.

What is dystonia?

Dystonia affects 250,000 Americans and is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions resulting in twisting and intermittent movement, as well as abnormal posture. The movement disorder can affect one muscle or a group of muscles.

In most cases, dystonia is caused by a malfunction in your basal ganglia, which is the area of your brain responsible for controlling the coordination of movements. Dystonia may not be life-threatening, but it can affect quality of life.

How are movement disorders treated?

The experienced team at Integrated Neurology Services develops individualized treatment plans for movement disorders based on the type of disorder you have, the underlying cause, your age, and the severity of your condition. Your treatment plan may include oral medication, intravenous infusions, physical therapy, and/or occupational therapy.

The team works closely with you to develop a plan that improves your symptoms and your quality of life.

To schedule an evaluation for your movement disorder, call Integrated Neurology Services or use the online booking tool.

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