Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesDiagnosisTreatmentOutlookFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook
Frequently Asked Questions
Involuntary muscle movements refer to body movements that are outside of your control. These movements may be mild, such as a slight eye twitch. They can also be quite pronounced, affecting the arms, trunk, or neck.
Involuntary movements may be reversible or permanent.Working with aneurologist, a doctor who specializes in brain disorders, will help you determine what is causing your involuntary movements, as well as how to treat them.
Verywell / Laura Porter
There are several types of involuntary movements that our bodies can make.
Tremors
Some tremors, such asessential tremorsor benign tremors, can arise spontaneously and may not have a known cause. However, it’s estimated that more than 50% of people with essential tremors have a family history of it.
Myoclonus
Myoclonusrefers to fast jerks or twitches in a muscle or group of muscles. It is considered a clinical sign and not a disease. Myoclonus is usually the result of dysfunction in the cerebral cortex part of thebrainor the brainstem.
When myoclonus affects one muscle or group of muscles, they are known as focal myoclonus. Myoclonus affecting several muscle groups is known as multifocal myoclonus.
There are a number of chronic conditions that can lead to myoclonus. They include:
What to Know About Sleep Myoclonus
Tardive Dyskinesia
However, it is possible to experience chronic or permanent tardive dyskinesia. Older people are more at risk than younger people for experiencing chronic TD.
Tics
Ticsare quick, repetitive movements or unwanted sounds. They are usually associated with Tourette syndrome, a hereditary neurological condition. Tics may also be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety,depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and may be due to a temporary psychological state. The first symptoms are usuallyinvoluntary movements of the face, arms, and legs that occur frequently.
Verbal tics may occur later on in Tourette syndrome, and can include grunting, shouting, throat clearing, or barking. A person experiencing verbal tics sometimes uses obscene words or gestures. This can make socialization quite difficult for a young person.
Why Your Child Might Be Making Grunting Noises
Athetosis
Athetosisdescribes slow, writhing movements, which usually affect the arms and hands. A person experiencing athetosis often puts their body into uncomfortable, twisted motions involuntarily.
Twitches
Muscle twitchesoccur when the muscles unexpectedly tighten or relax. Twitches are very common, and just about every one of us has experienced them.
Mild forms of twitches include having hiccups. It is also possible for twitches to have an underlying medical cause such asepilepsyor Parkinson’s disease.
What Is the Fencing Response?
It’s important to see your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any involuntary movements, no matter how small. Your primary healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist such as a neurologist or aneurosurgeon.
Your medical team will order tests to determine the underlying cause of your involuntary movements, including:
The diagnostic process usually begins with a thorough history and physical exam. Some questions your healthcare provider may ask include:
In some cases, your healthcare provider may need to rule outseizures, as they can cause certain types of movements like myoclonus or twitching.
Treatment for involuntary movements depends on the cause. Involuntary movements may be treated with medications, surgery,deep brain stimulation, or behavioral therapy.
Your healthcare provider may recommend the following treatment options:
The prognosis for involuntary movements can vary widely depending on the cause and how severe the movements are.
Some, such as tics, usually resolve on their own during a person’s 20s. Others are chronic and require ongoing treatment. Talk with your neurologist about what is causing your involuntary movements and how to treat them.
Summary
A wide range of conditions can cause involuntary movements. They may be uncomfortable and some may be chronic, but in many cases there are treatment options that can help. If you experience any involuntary movements, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider so they can evaluate your symptoms and help determine your next steps.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stanford Medicine.Involuntary movements: Types, causes, and examples.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor fact sheet.
Tio M, Tan EK.Genetics of essential tremor.Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2016;22 Suppl 1:S176-8. doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.09.022
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Myoclonus fact sheet.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:Myoclonus.
Cornett EM, Novitch M, Kaye AD, Kata V, Kaye AM.Medication-induced tardive dyskinesia: a review and update.Ochsner J. 2017;17(2):162-174.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tourette syndrome fact sheet.
National Health Service.Twitching eyes and muscles.
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