What is a movement disorder?
Movement disorders is in reality a group of various neurological conditions that may cause but are not limited to symptoms like voluntary and involuntary abnormal movements— Movements that are out of our control, in most cases, and that are also slow. Another characteristic of movement disorders is that it is generally associated with other afflictions pertaining to cognitive, motor, personality, and neurological difficulties.
Most common movement disorders, and their respective similarities
Movement disorders can be separated into two main categories:
Hyperkinetic movement disorders
Hyperkenetic movement disorder consists of copious, and involuntary movements.
Some of the most common hyperkinetic movements are:
- Dystonia: Neurological disorder that consists of repeated twitching, with movements similar to tremors. It is usually magnified by physical exercise, making staying in shape hard
- Essential tremor: It is made of involuntary symmetrical contractions. It makes daily life activities hard. It can be worsened by stress
Some of the most common associative hypokinetic movement disorders are:
- Parkinson’s disease: a degenerative disorder that affects the nervous system. It is progressive, and it affects the body both physically, and cognitively
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP): It is a degenerative disease that kills parts of the brain progressively. It alters movement functions, and brings up personality disorders
- Multiple System Atrophy (MSA): It is induced by the degeneration of neurons in different parts of the brain. It also affects the overall functioning of certain glands
- Corticobasal degeneration (CBD): Similar to Parkinson’s disease, it affects both motor, and cognitive functions
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB): It is a form of dementia that affects movement, behavior, and cognitive abilities. Unfortunately, it worsens over time
The importance of looking for specialists and rehab centers
The main problem with most of these affections, is that many of them have similar symptoms, but affect the body in different ways, as the root of the problem may stem from different nervous areas. This results in similar symptoms, but different outcomes over time.
Another inconvenience is that most of these movement disorders are caused by illnesses that gradually get worse with the passing of time, since quite a few of them are neurodegenerative, or are linked to autoimmune diseases. So, in order to prevent further advancement, or to diminish the pace of progression, it is vital to acquire medical expertise ASAP — for the correct assessment of the situation, and to gain further knowledge about how to proceed. Visit the Everest website to find out more about movement disorders rehabilitation.
Most Rehab centers provide the following services
Diagnostic evaluation and general testing
A proper diagnosis achieved by extensive and efficient testing – providing the patient a much more promising disorder treatment, and potential management
Physical treatment
Treatment with innovative resources such as physical, and occupational therapy aid the patient in retaining cognitive, and motor functions. They also help a struggling patient re-insert themselves back into society
Psychological Treatment
Constant mental health monitoring — these conditions often take a toll on the mind. A strong mind, along with a solid support system, is the safest bet for people experiencing movement disorders
Advanced medication therapy
This type of therapy has been proven to be critical at slowing down, or even bringing to a halt, the spread of the disorders. Rehab centers can help with that
Post- Op Care
If surgical procedures are required, rehab centers can keep track of any medications, tests, and previous procedures that the patient may have undergone in the past, making it safer for patients with probable surgical needs
Education
Rehab centers can also provide patients with education about the disorder, as well as for their family and friends, making the development of the matter much more bearable
Other treatments
Several other treatments include the following techniques and procedures:
- Botulinum toxin injections: They help at relaxing involuntary muscle contractions
- Deep brain stimulation: It is particularly beneficial for patients with Parkinson’s disease, and dystonia
- Ultrasound: It enhances deep brain access without harming healthy tissue
- Laser ablation: It uses lasers to treat the movement disorders
- Radiofrequency ablation: It uses radiofrequency to deal with movement disorder causes
- Radiosurgery: It is one of the best therapies for movement disorders available at the time
How to find a good rehab center for movement disorders
The best way to find good rehab centers for movement disorders is by entering the official International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society’s directory. On this site where you can uncover expert movement disorder staff not only in the USA and Canada but also worldwide. Neurologists are important, but movement disorders specialized doctors dedicate themselves to the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, and a plethora of other movement disorders, making the possible outcome much more satisfactory. They can help with medications, and subsequent adjustments- They can also work in relationship with other fields of medical science and derivatives in order to achieve the best results for movement disorders patients. If you cannot find the needed information there, you can always reach out to your local healthcare center for further information, or consult a physician.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind