People with movement disorders receive compassionate, specialized care at our Movement Disorders Program. We offer the latest diagnostic tests, advanced treatments and access to clinical trials.
Medically reviewed by Lin Zhang, M.D. on May 01, 2024.
Movement disorders are neurological conditions that affect your ability to make and control movements. You may have involuntary (uncontrolled) movements, such as tremors or jerking motions.
Some people have difficulties with voluntary movements, resulting in slowness, rigidity (stiffness) or impaired coordination. These conditions can negatively impact your ability to get around, work and enjoy life.
At the UC Davis Movement Disorders Program, our neurologists (nerve disorder specialists) provide the highest level of care.
We perform advanced testing and offer comprehensive treatments for all types of movement disorders, including:
Symptoms vary depending on the type of movement disorder. These symptoms can be mild or severe.
Signs of a movement disorder include:
Several factors can cause movement disorders. Nerve cell (neuron) damage or death to areas of your brain can affect how your body moves. Some people have gene changes that affect the brain.
Gene changes (mutations) cause some types of movement disorders. You may inherit this gene change from a parent, or the gene may mutate spontaneously.
Several factors may increase your risk of developing a movement disorder:
Many movement disorders become more common as you get older.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases your risk.
Infectious diseases, such as bacterial meningitis, can cause brain swelling that leads to a movement disorder.
Behaviors, such as using tobacco or excessive alcohol use, may increase risk.
Metabolic disorders can cause toxins to build up in your body, leading to nerve or brain damage.
Having a stroke or vascular disease that affects blood flow to your brain may raise your risk.
Exposure to certain toxins, such as manganese, iron, carbon dioxide and carbon disulfide, puts you at risk.
Many movement disorders share similar symptoms and mimic other conditions. An accurate diagnosis is key to effective treatment.
Our movement disorder specialists have expertise diagnosing common and rare movement disorders. We start with an in-depth neurological exam to test your muscle strength and reflexes.
Depending on your symptoms, you may get one or more of these tests to aid diagnosis and rule out other conditions:
40MAmericans who have some type of movement disorder
30Different types of movement disorders exist
Source: International Neuromodulation Society: Movement Disorders
As Sacramento's No. 1 hospital, you'll benefit from unique advantages in primary care and specialty care. This includes prevention, diagnosis and treatment options from experts in 150 specialties.
To refer a patient, you can submit an electronic referral form or call.
For questions and appointment information
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
A U.S. News & World Report best children’s hospital in diabetes & endocrinology, nephrology, and orthopedics*. (*Together with Shriners Children’s)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.
UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.