US Medical Term · symptoms
Involuntary Movements
Movimientos involuntarios
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Involuntary Movements |
| Spanish (Español) | Movimientos involuntarios |
| Chinese (中文) | 不自主動作 |
| Korean (한국어) | 불수의적 운동 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Cử động không tự chủ |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Hindi sinasadyang paggalaw |
| Portuguese (Português) | Movimentos involuntários |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การเคลื่อนไหวที่ไม่ตั้งใจ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 不随意運動 |
What it means
Involuntary movements are motions the body makes without conscious control. They include tremors, tics, chorea (irregular dancing or writhing movements), myoclonus (brief muscle jerks), and dystonia (sustained abnormal postures). Causes range from medication side effects and caffeine to Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Tourette syndrome. Some brief jerks at sleep onset are normal. Involuntary movements that interfere with daily life, worsen over time, or appear suddenly require medical evaluation. Call your doctor for an appointment; call 911 if movements accompany loss of consciousness, confusion, or signs of stroke. Recording the movements on video can help your doctor evaluate them more accurately.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My arm makes sudden jerking movements that I cannot control at all.
Mi brazo hace movimientos bruscos repentinos que no puedo controlar en absoluto.
I have been making random facial movements and shrugging my shoulders without meaning to.
He estado haciendo movimientos faciales al azar y encogiéndome de hombros sin querer.
My child has sudden jerking movements of the whole body that last just a second.
Mi hijo tiene movimientos bruscos repentinos de todo el cuerpo que duran solo un segundo.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
R25 Abnormal involuntary movementsRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026