BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMovement - uncontrollableUncontrolled movements; Involuntary body movements; Body movements - uncontrollable; Dyskinesia; Athetosis; Myoclonus; BallismusUncontrollable movements include many types of movements that you cannot control. They can affect the arms, legs, face, neck, or other parts of the body.Examples of uncontrollable movements are:Loss of muscle tone (flaccidity) Slow, twisting, or continued movements (chorea, athetosis, or dystonia) Sudden jerking movements (myoclonus, ballismus) Uncontrollable repetitive movements (asterixis or tremor) Causes There are many causes of uncontrolled movements. Some movements last only a short time. Others are due to a permanent condition of the brain and spinal cord and may get worse.Some of these movements affect children. Others affect only adults.Causes in children:Genetic disorder Kernicterus (too much bilirubin in the central nervous system after birth) KernicterusBilirubin encephalopathy is a rare neurological condition that occurs in some newborns with severe jaundice.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BilirubinThe bilirubin blood test measures the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. Bi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Central nervous systemThe central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord serve as the main "processing center" for your entir...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lack of oxygen (hypoxia) at birth HypoxiaA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes in adults:Nervous system diseases Genetic disorder Medicines Stroke or brain injury Tumors Illicit drugs Head and neck trauma Home Care Physical therapy that includes swimming, stretching, walking, and balancing exercises can help with coordination and slow the damage. A home safety evaluation by a physical therapist may be helpful.Take measures to make it easier and safer to move around at home. For example, get rid of clutter, leave wide walkways, and remove throw rugs or other objects that might cause slipping or falling. Make sure there is enough lighting at night.People with this condition should be encouraged to take part in normal activities. Family members need to be patient with a person who has poor coordination. Take time to show the person ways to do tasks more easily. Take advantage of the person's strengths while avoiding their weaknesses.Ask the health care provider whether walking aids, such as a cane or walker, would be helpful.People with this disorder are prone to falls. Talk with the provider about measures to prevent falls.Prevent fallsOlder adults and people with medical problems are at risk of falling or tripping. This can result in broken bones or more serious injuries. Use the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Family support is important. It helps to openly discuss your feelings. Self-help groups are available in many communities. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have any unexplained movements that you cannot control that do not go away. What to Expect at Your Office Visit The provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will have a detailed examination of both the nervous and muscle systems.Medical history questions may include:Are there muscle contractions that may be causing the abnormal posture? Muscle contractionsMuscle cramps are when a muscle gets tight (contracts) without you trying to tighten it, and it does not relax. Cramps may involve all or part of on...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Are the arms affected? Are the legs affected? When did this movement begin? Did it occur suddenly? Has it been getting worse slowly over weeks or months? Is it present all the time? Is it worse after exercise? Is it worse when you are stressed? Is it better after sleep? What makes it better? What other symptoms are present? Tests that may be ordered include:Blood tests (such as metabolic panel and CBC) CBCA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the head or affected area CT scan of the headA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article EEG (brain wave study) EEGAn electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lumbar puncture Lumbar punctureCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the head or affected area MRI of the headA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UrinalysisUrinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment depends on the cause. Many uncontrollable movements are treated with medicines. Some symptoms may improve on their own. Your provider will make recommendations based on your signs and symptoms.Open ReferencesReferencesJankovic J, Lang AE. Diagnosis and assessment of Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 24.Okun MS, Lang AE. Other movement disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 382.AllVideoImagesTogCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 1/23/2023 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. 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Movement - uncontrollableUncontrolled movements; Involuntary body movements; Body movements - uncontrollable; Dyskinesia; Athetosis; Myoclonus; BallismusUncontrollable movements include many types of movements that you cannot control. They can affect the arms, legs, face, neck, or other parts of the body.Examples of uncontrollable movements are:Loss of muscle tone (flaccidity) Slow, twisting, or continued movements (chorea, athetosis, or dystonia) Sudden jerking movements (myoclonus, ballismus) Uncontrollable repetitive movements (asterixis or tremor) Causes There are many causes of uncontrolled movements. Some movements last only a short time. Others are due to a permanent condition of the brain and spinal cord and may get worse.Some of these movements affect children. Others affect only adults.Causes in children:Genetic disorder Kernicterus (too much bilirubin in the central nervous system after birth) KernicterusBilirubin encephalopathy is a rare neurological condition that occurs in some newborns with severe jaundice.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BilirubinThe bilirubin blood test measures the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. Bi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Central nervous systemThe central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord serve as the main "processing center" for your entir...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lack of oxygen (hypoxia) at birth HypoxiaA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes in adults:Nervous system diseases Genetic disorder Medicines Stroke or brain injury Tumors Illicit drugs Head and neck trauma Home Care Physical therapy that includes swimming, stretching, walking, and balancing exercises can help with coordination and slow the damage. A home safety evaluation by a physical therapist may be helpful.Take measures to make it easier and safer to move around at home. For example, get rid of clutter, leave wide walkways, and remove throw rugs or other objects that might cause slipping or falling. Make sure there is enough lighting at night.People with this condition should be encouraged to take part in normal activities. Family members need to be patient with a person who has poor coordination. Take time to show the person ways to do tasks more easily. Take advantage of the person's strengths while avoiding their weaknesses.Ask the health care provider whether walking aids, such as a cane or walker, would be helpful.People with this disorder are prone to falls. Talk with the provider about measures to prevent falls.Prevent fallsOlder adults and people with medical problems are at risk of falling or tripping. This can result in broken bones or more serious injuries. Use the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Family support is important. It helps to openly discuss your feelings. Self-help groups are available in many communities. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have any unexplained movements that you cannot control that do not go away. What to Expect at Your Office Visit The provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will have a detailed examination of both the nervous and muscle systems.Medical history questions may include:Are there muscle contractions that may be causing the abnormal posture? Muscle contractionsMuscle cramps are when a muscle gets tight (contracts) without you trying to tighten it, and it does not relax. Cramps may involve all or part of on...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Are the arms affected? Are the legs affected? When did this movement begin? Did it occur suddenly? Has it been getting worse slowly over weeks or months? Is it present all the time? Is it worse after exercise? Is it worse when you are stressed? Is it better after sleep? What makes it better? What other symptoms are present? Tests that may be ordered include:Blood tests (such as metabolic panel and CBC) CBCA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the head or affected area CT scan of the headA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article EEG (brain wave study) EEGAn electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lumbar puncture Lumbar punctureCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the head or affected area MRI of the headA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UrinalysisUrinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment depends on the cause. Many uncontrollable movements are treated with medicines. Some symptoms may improve on their own. Your provider will make recommendations based on your signs and symptoms.Open ReferencesReferencesJankovic J, Lang AE. Diagnosis and assessment of Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 24.Okun MS, Lang AE. Other movement disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 382.