Cutting-Edge Care for Movement Disorders

Dedicated to providing comprehensive, innovative care, we diagnose, treat, and research a wide range of disorders that affect movement in children and adults.

Our Movement Disorders Program offers the latest technologies, cutting-edge clinical trials, and a committed team of specialists to provide you with the best quality of life possible.

Evaluation & Diagnosis

Patients referred to our program first receive in-depth evaluations and comprehensive diagnostic testing. The initial evaluation consists of a full medical history, a discussion of your symptoms, thorough physical and neurological examinations, and assessments of mental function, psychiatric health, gait, balance, motility, body function, and overall health.

We may also use the following tests to provide additional diagnostic evaluation: 

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• DaTScan to confirm the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
• Electroencephalography (EEG) to examine brain activity
• Electromyography (EMG) to look at nerve and muscle activity
• Tests to look for problems in blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid
• Genetic tests to detect known abnormalities

Treatment

Because no two movement disorders are the same, our specialized teams will develop an individualized treatment plan for you. Our thorough, compassionate care will help you find relief and comfort during the uncertainty of your treatment. Our comprehensive approach aims to help you manage your condition today and in the future.

We work with you and your family to develop a care plan, which may include:

• Medication therapy - Medication therapy is typically the first line of defense in treating these progressive diseases. Rochester Regional Health leverage a wide variety of medications to customize dosages and balance side effects:
  • Blood pressure medication
  • Anti-seizure medication
  • Anticholinergic agents
  • Anti-anxiety medication
  • Antidepressants
• Botulinum Toxin Injections (Botox) - Botox injections have been proven to effectively relax excessive muscle contraction in individuals with various movement disorders, by blocking the neurotransmitter (acetylcholine).  This treatment option has minimal discomfort and can last up to 3-4 months. 
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) - A minimally-invasive surgical treatment that uses an implant to stimulate the areas of your brain that control movement. In many cases, this treatment eases the symptoms by changing the electrical activity in the brain.
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation - Working with trained physical, occupational, and speech-language rehabilitation specialists can help you maintain or restore your physical wellbeing and function more effectively in your daily life. 
• Practical and emotional support for you and your family, including support groups
• Psychological and psychiatric counseling and evaluation
• Emerging treatments newly available through clinical trials

Movement disorders are often chronic conditions, which is why we carefully follow our patients throughout their healthcare journey, developing a personal relationship to ensure you receive the very best ongoing care.