Movement Disorders

Treatment

Mayo Clinic is at the forefront of developing new ways to treat patients with movement disorders. State-of-the-art treatments available include botulinum toxin injections and deep brain stimulation. A team of medical professionals works with each patient and family to determine the best treatment based on the patient's diagnosis and medical history.

Botulinum Toxin Injections

Botulinum toxin injections are used to relieve the pain and muscle contractions and spasms of certain dystonias. Read more about botulinum toxin injections.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation is a surgical treatment for essential tremor and the tremors associated with Parkinson's disease. It may be an option for people whose disabling tremors can no longer be controlled by medication.

Deep brain stimulation delivers mild electrical stimulation to the thalamus, blocking signals that cause the uncontrollable shaking. The treatment often produces dramatic results. Patients who previously could not bring a spoon to their lips without spilling food can eat peas with a fork after surgery. The need for anti-tremor medications is often reduced or eliminated. Read more about deep brain stimulation.

Pallidotomy and Thalamotomy

Pallidotomy and thalamotomy are surgical procedures that treat a precise spot in the brain to control certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease and essential tremor.