Uncontrollable Movements

Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free

Reviewed By:

Bret Mobley

Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)

Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Please choose the symptom you are most concerned about.

It will help us optimise further questions for you.

By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Find another symptom

How Ubie can help you

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.

Your symptoms

Input your symptoms

Our AI

Our AI checks your symptoms

Your report

You get your personalized report

Personalized Report

✔︎  When to see a doctor

✔︎  What causes your symptoms

✔︎  Treatment information etc.

People with these symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

  • Head shakes uncontrollably (involuntarily)

  • Seizure with arm straightened and face turned to the same side e.g. left or right

  • Uncontrollable movements that make me subconsciously walk or wander around

  • Being conscious while your arms and legs are moving involuntarily

  • Hand starts writing in mid-air if I focus on something else

  • Involuntary slow muscle movements of arms and legs

  • Seizure that starts from one part of the body

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

Learn More

Content updated on Jan 4, 2023

About the symptom

An involuntary movement is when your body moves in an uncontrolled way. These can include small jerking motions, tremors, or larger limb movements. They usually happen due to problems with the brain or spinal cord.

When to see a doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

  • Uncontrollable movements

Possible causes

  • Spasticity

    Spasticity is abnormal muscle tightness due to prolonged muscle contraction. IIt is usually associated with damage to the spinal cord, brain or nerves.

  • Cirrhosis of the liver

    A condition where normal liver is permanently damaged and replaced with scar issue. There are many different causes including infections, alcohol abuse and diabetes.

  • Restless foot syndrome

    Restless legs syndrome (RLS) Willis-Ekbom disease is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, usually because of an uncomfortable sensation. It typically occurs while sitting or lying down. Exact cause is unknown, but could be due to a chemical (dopamine) imbalance in the brain. It can begin at any age and generally worsens with age. It can disrupt sleep, which interferes with daily activities.

  • Alcohol dependence / delirium tremens

Related serious diseases

Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom

  • Do you have movements of the hands/legs/face, that you cannot control?

  • Do your uncontrollable movements make you subconsciously walk or wander around?

  • Do you have a fever?

  • Do you have headaches or does your head feel heavy?

  • Do you have nausea or vomiting?

Other Related Symptoms

Similar symptoms or complaints

Symptoms from the same body system / part

Reviewed By:

Bret Mobley

Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)

Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD

Neurology

Kameda Medical Center, Japan

Yu Shirai

Yu Shirai, MD

Psychiatry

Yotsuya Yui Clinic, Japan

Yoshinori Abe

Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal medicine

Co-founder of Ubie, Inc.

Rohini R

Rohini R, MD

Ear, nose, throat (ENT)

Bayshore Health Centre, India

Seiji Kanazawa

Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD

Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)

National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan

View our medical experts