What is involuntary movement?

Involuntary movement is when a part of a person's body moves without her controlling it. This can occur in any part of the body, but it is often found in the limbs, neck or face. It can be caused by a number of different factors.

Nerve damage is one common cause of involuntary movement. The muscle that is affected could experience slight muscle twitches that lead to uncontrolled movement. Syndromes such as tardive dyskinesia, cerebral palsy, hypoxia and Parkinson's disease can all cause involuntary movement. Drug use, tumors, seizure disorders or brain injuries are other causes. Involuntary movement can also be called tremors, tics or myoclonus.