It is critical to have the correct diagnosis by a physician with expertise in the area of FMD and FND. Once diagnosed correctly, a multidisciplinary approach is best, including physiotherapy by a therapist familiar with the treatment of these disorders.

 

We can think of functional movement disorder symptoms as stemming from abnormal motor programming. A computer analogy to contrast structure and function is useful: think of functional neurological symptoms as similar to a brain "software" problem, rather than a “hardware” problem.

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We will demonstrate in your assessment that the hardware of your nervous system, i.e. your brain, spinal cord, and nerves, and muscles are all capable of working normally. But just like computers, our brain software programs sometimes malfunction and can create an abnormal motor program.

 

Over time, and with repeated use, the brain becomes used to using the abnormal motor program, and starts to produce it automatically, without your control. In the same way that a musician or athlete can learn complex normal motor programs, our brains can learn in an abnormal way to perform abnormal motor programs.
 

The most important part of the treatment of an FMD is the correct diagnosis by a medical expert. Once this diagnosis is established, a combination of physical therapy and psychological therapy can be beneficial.