Movement Disorders

Specialized Care

People with movement disorders can experience involuntary movement, tremors and pain―*making even the simplest activities difficult to do. Geisinger’’s fellowship-trained neurologists provide specialized expertise, bringing relief and control for patients with movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, Chorea, Dystonia, ET, Huntington’’s Disease and Tourette syndrome.

Advanced Treatment Options

Movement disorders are often progressive and chronic conditions. Promising new treatment options are available at Geisinger’’s Neurosciences Institute including an innovative surgical procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS), for unmanageable symptoms of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia.

Patients treated here benefit from the expertise of our movement disorders specialists and receive leading edge treatments that emphasize a collaborative approach to care.

The Movement Disorders Team

Geisinger is the only hospital in the region with dedicated specialists in movement disorders. Our multi-disciplinary approach offers the dedication and expertise of an entire team of medical specialists. As a result, patients receive highly personalized care with an ideal combination of progressive treatments and advanced therapies coordinated specifically for their individual health needs and preferences. The team includes:

• Fellowship-trained neurologists specializing in movement disorder
• Fellowship-trained functional neurosurgeons
• Neuropsychologist
• Neurophysiologists
• Nurse Navigators
• Physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists

Types of Movement Disorders

• Parkinson's Disease
• Chorea
• Dystonia
• Essential Tremor
• Huntington’’s Disease
• Tourette syndrome

Parkinson's Disease - Parkinson's disease (PD or, simply, Parkinson's) is a slow progressing, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that impacts motor skills, cognitive processes and other functions.  PD is the most common cause of Parkinsonism, a syndrome of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability.

Chorea - is a neurological condition causing abnormal involuntary movement characterized by brief, irregular, non-stereotyped movements.  In milder cases, the movements may seem ordinary, where a patient may seem clumsy or fidgety. Many body parts can be affected as well as speech, swallowing, posture and gait. Anxiety and voluntary movements may worsen Chorea while sleep helps it subside.

Dystonia - is a neurological disorder, in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. Physical trauma, heredity, infection and reaction to pharmaceutical drugs are some of the causes of this disorder.  Many sufferers have continuous pain, lip smacking, cramping and muscle spasms due to involuntary muscle movements. 

Essential Tremor - Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder. It is a progressive, sometimes inherited disorder that typically begins in later adulthood. Patients with ET often experience tremors when the arms are held up and when the hands are being used for activities like eating, drinking or writing.  The tremor may also occur in the head (neck), jaw and voice as well as other body regions.

Huntington’s Disease - is an inherited progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that causes certain nerve cells in your brain to deteriorate. This condition may cause uncontrolled movements, decreased thinking abilities (cognitive abilities), and emotional and mental health disturbances (psychiatric conditions).

Tourette syndrome - is a neurological condition which starts between childhood and teenage years and is associated with repetitive movements (motor tics) and vocal sounds (vocal tics).

Our Staff

• Douglas Nathanson, MD, Neurologist
• Joseph Emrich, MD, Functional Neurosurgeon
• Atom Sarkar, MD, Functional Neurosurgeon
• Amir Kershenovich, MD, Functional Neurosurgeon
• Efrain Perez-Vargas, MD, Neurologist

Related Links

• WEMOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders)
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research