When should I see a neurologist and do I need a referral?
If your primary care provider sees a problem, you will be referred to a specialist.
Epilepsy and seizure care
Beacon neurologists are experienced in diagnosing and managing epilepsy. Advanced imaging is used to diagnose seizure disorders and epilepsy. Your neurologist works with a team of neuroscience specialists to deliver advanced treatment options, close to home.
When you choose Beacon, you get doctors and care teams who listen to you. We start each appointment with a complete evaluation. Tell us your concerns and your history with seizures. Your doctor may recommend a series of tests to better understand your seizures, such as blood tests and imaging. Then, we create a care plan that’s right for you. Our goal is to help reduce the number of seizures you have—and, in some cases, prevent them.
Advanced treatment options for epilepsy
Depending on the cause of your seizures, your care plan may include medication, surgery or a combination of both. Your doctor takes the time to explain your treatment options and create a personalized care plan.
Medication: Whenever possible, neurologists recommend non-surgical treatment options first. Many people are able to manage their seizures with anti-seizure or anti-epileptic medications. There are many different options available. Your doctor works with you to find the right medication and dosage. And with regular follow-up visits, your doctor can adjust your medications and help manage side effects.
Surgery: If medications are not managing your seizures, your doctor may recommend deep brain stimulation or surgery to manage your seizures. Beacon neurosurgeons use 3D brain imaging and robotic-assisted technology to target the source of your seizures. Robotic surgery is more precise than traditional surgery. And it can lead to less pain and a shorter recovery.
Your care doesn’t end after your initial treatment. We deliver long-term follow-up care to help you manage your epilepsy throughout your life.
Movement disorder care
Symptoms of a movement disorder include impaired coordination, tight or stiff muscles, involuntary movements and difficulty speaking or swallowing. Our experienced neurologists specialize in the treatment of movement disorders such as:
- Ataxia (impaired coordination)
- Cervical dystonia (involuntary twisting of the head)
- Chorea (involuntary, irregular muscle movements)
- Dystonia
- Functional movement disorder (involuntary movements or body positions)
- Huntington’s disease (breakdown of nerve cells in the brain)
- Myoclonus (involuntary muscle jerk)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Restless leg syndrome
- Tourette syndrome (tics)
- Tremors
Compassionate care for movement disorders
Your doctor and care team will discuss your diagnosis and care plan with you and how to manage your daily living needs. Tell us about any new symptoms and ask us your questions—big and small. Your doctor may recommend tests to evaluate progressive diseases like Parkinson’s. As your needs change, so does our care. Our compassionate approach delivers family-centered care with long-term follow-up care for your emotional and physical well-being.
Benefits of our approach for treating movement disorders
Surgery is not always the first option for movement disorders. Your doctor may recommend non-surgical treatment options first, such as medications and therapy. If surgery is needed, you will be connected with a neurosurgeon. Together, we work with you and for you to create a personalized care plan. Our goal is to help relieve your symptoms and slow the progression of your movement disorder.
Depending on your symptoms, physical therapy or other types of rehabilitation may be recommended as part of your care plan. These therapies can help improve your mobility, reduce your risk of falls, improve posture and manage pain.
Deep brain stimulation for movement disorders
If you have a movement disorder and feel your medication is no longer working, talk to one of our specialists to see if deep brain stimulation (DBS) is right for you. DBS may help improve your brain, muscle and nerve function. DBS is a surgical procedure during which your doctor implants electrodes into specific areas of your brain. These electrodes create impulses that can help regulate abnormal brain activity that is causing symptoms.