Movement Disorders

Movement disorders is a broad grouping of neurologic conditions that occur when nerve conditions impair or debilitate a person’s ability to move properly. At Beaumont, fellowship trained neurologists and neurosurgeons comprehensively evaluate our movement disorder patients to determine the best course of treatment. Movement disorders can also be known as dyskinesia, which is abnormal uncontrolled movement and is a common symptom of many of these disorders. Movement disorders can include, but are not limited to the following:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Dystonia
• Spasticity
• Essential tremors
• Movement disorders caused by brain injury
• Huntington’s disease

Treatment of Movement Disorders

Beaumont has been a leader in using a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat various neurological and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, tremor due to multiple sclerosis and chronic pain.

Our medical treatment plans may include physical, occupational and speech therapy. When appropriate, we offer:

• Neurosurgical implant of a deep brain stimulator (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease, tremor and dystonia.
• Botulinum toxin (botox) injection for dystonia, hemifacial spasm, spasticity, sialorrhea and migraine.
• The opportunity to participate in clinical trials, genetic studies and neuroimaging research.

The Beaumont Movement Disorders Clinic provides an interdisciplinary approach with neurologists, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, speech therapists and other medical team members.

Movement Disorder Rehabilitation

Motor speech disorders (dysarthrias) are common in neuropathology and can often require speech-voice assessment and rehabilitation. Dysarthrias that usually require motor speech therapy include:

Also, patients undergoing other neurosurgical procedures like seizure disorder treatment, tumor resections or cervical neck surgery may also require pre-surgical assessment/post-surgical treatment for motor speech and/or swallowing disorders.

Guided Imagery

Optimal treatment of Parkinson’s disease requires a multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach. We continue to improve symptomatic therapies every day, but additional patient-centered and non-pharmacological interventions can play a large role in management. Exercise and therapy can strengthen the body to deal with this chronic illness. Mindfulness and meditation can foster coping strategies and strengthen one’s mind to cope with the challenges posed by Parkinson’s. Guided imagery is one such tool you can use.

The Beaumont Movement Disorders Clinic specializes in evaluating and treating patients with Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, ataxia, Tourette’s syndrome, tremor, dystonia, restless leg syndrome and other movement disorders in a comprehensive, compassionate and timely manner.

Led by a board-certified, fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologist, patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a thorough clinical assessment, laboratory testing, cognitive evaluation and brain imaging. This approach allows us to make a quick and accurate diagnosis resulting in an effective, interdisciplinary care treatment plan for each patient.

Meet the Team

Adam Kuhlman, DO, is the section head of Beaumont’s Movement Disorders Program. Dr. Kuhlman provides a complete range of services in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. He meets the individual needs of the patients and caregivers through a partnership with primary care, neurosurgery, rehabilitation and other support services.