Movement Disorders

Movement disorders are complex neurological disorders that affect your ability to produce and control bodily movements. Movement disorders occur when changes in the brain cause either abnormal, excessive, involuntary movements or slower, delayed movements.

The neurology team at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and management for all types of movement disorders. Our team includes a neurologist that specializes in movement disorders such as Parkinson's and essential tremor as well as a multi-disciplinary therapy team certified in Parkinson's treatment programs.

As part of Penn Medicine, our team is directly connected to one of the top movement disorders programs in the country, with some Penn Medicine providers seeing patients in Lancaster. The program at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia is a leader in research and offers a specialized fellowship program for neurologists.

Types of Movement Disorders

Our team of neurologists treat all types of movement disorders and related conditions including:

• Chorea
• Dystonia (including spasmodic torticollis)
• Essential tremor
• Huntington's disease
• Myoclonus
• Parkinson's disease
• Atypical parkinsonisms
  • Progressive supranuclear palsy
  • Multiple system atrophy
  • Corticobasal Syndrome
• Restless leg syndrome
• Spinocerebellar ataxia and other ataxia disorders
• Tardive dyskinesia
• Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders

Treatments and Services for Movement Disorders

• Botulinum toxin injections (BOTOX®)
• Deep brain stimulation: This innovative procedure involves the surgical implantation of electrodes into specific areas of the brain that produce electrical impulses to help control abnormal physical body movements. The deep brain stimulation procedure is performed in Philadelphia but the management of the device can be performed by a local neurologist.
• Early Stage Movement Disorders Program: If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or another movement disorder, starting treatment that includes a specific exercise program has been shown to slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. Waiting to start treatment until there is a significant decline in function is not recommended.
  
  Our program allows our trained, certified therapy team to partner with your doctor to not only provide treatment, but educate, support and guide you and your caregiver now and throughout any changes in your symptoms.
  
  Our team of specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology and neuro rehabilitation (includes physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology) work together to ensure a well-coordinated approach to care. They know whom you should see if you are experiencing new symptoms, and when. Talk to your doctor about a referral to this program or call 717-544-0541 if you have any questions.
• Enteric levodopa pump therapy: A gel infusion of carbidopa/levodopa is delivered consistently through a small tube that is placed into the intestine. This provides a smooth absorption of the medicine and can cut down on motor fluctuations and dyskinesia.
• MR-guided focused ultrasound: This is a non-invasive FDA-approved procedure for unilateral control in tremor-predominant Parkinson's disease and for staged lesions to achieve bilateral control in essential tremor. Focused ultrasound uses beams of acoustic energy to ablate a small, targeted area of tissue in the brain. This procedure requires no anesthesia or incision. Patients typically go home the same day of the procedure. Consultations for MR-guided focused ultrasound, which is available at only a few health systems in the Mid-Atlantic region, are offered in Lancaster and the procedure is performed at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.
• Rehabilitation therapies including BIG, LOUD, Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!Moves), and Speak Out: Highly skilled and certified physical, occupational and speech therapists provide specialized neurorehabilitation for Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.