Movement Disorders

For requests:

For Neurology related requests:: 1-319-356-2572

For Neurosurgery related requests:: 1-319-356-2237

Living with a movement disorder affects every aspect of your life. University of Iowa Health Care specialists bring years of expertise and innovation to diagnosing your condition and managing your symptoms.

The goal: maximize your physical and mental well-being.

With UI Health Care, you’ll receive world-class care with groundbreaking therapies such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and Botox injections. And because we’re an internationally renowned center for movement disorders care and research, you’ll also have access to the very latest medications and surgical treatments.

Physicians from all over the country refer their patients to our multidisciplinary team.

A team of experts on your side

Movement disorders symptoms can vary. You may have physical symptoms that affect walking, speaking, and eating to various degrees. Other symptoms can affect your thinking and mood.

Our movement disorders team is made up of experts who collaborate with you to manage all your symptoms. Together, they make sure you have the best possible quality of life. Your care team might include the following specialists:

Your team makes a personalized care plan for you and adapts it as your needs evolve.

World-class research gives you access to innovative treatments

When you choose UI Health Care, you become part of one of the nation’s leading centers researching the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of movement disorders. Our clinical trials can give you access to therapies that aren’t yet available anywhere else.

Every year, we make more progress. For example, our researchers recently developed a way to use electroencephalography (EEG) to diagnose Parkinson’s disease early in its progression. Earlier diagnosis means more effective treatment.

Iowa Center for Neurodegeneration

In 2021, we launched the Iowa Center for Neurodegeneration, focused on groundbreaking research related to Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Our annual Parkinson’s patient symposium keeps you up to date on new developments.

Diagnostic expertise ensures that you get the right treatment

Movement disorders can be hard to diagnose. UI Health Care neurologists, otologists, and other specialists have years of expertise with diagnosis.

They start by asking about your medical history and family history, because movement disorders can be passed down from generation to generation.

They'll also do a physical examination to look for tremors or other movements and note the kind and location of your movement problems.

You'll likely have some diagnostic tests. For example, an MRI will show the health of your muscles and bones. Electromyography, or EMG, shows how your muscles respond to signals from your nerves.