Meinders Center for Movement Disorders

The Meinders Center for Movement Disorders in Oklahoma City treats complex neurological conditions that can cause involuntary and excess movement, impaired balance and coordination issues such as muscle rigidity and slow movement.

We focus on providing care to the whole patient with a specially designed structure in collaboration with the movement disorder team. Each patient receives comprehensive care from diagnosis to treatment, ongoing support and therapy, thanks to the variety of movement disorder programs and specialists we have available.

The Meinders Center continues to expand and grow services to improve care for patients who suffer from complex, often progressive, neurological diseases.

Movement Disorder Services

Cherian Karunapuzha, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained movement disorder neurologist. Dr. Karunapuzha has specialized training and access to advanced technology to handle conditions including:

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of a neurological disorder, talk to your primary care provider. They can provide a referral to the Meinders Center. 

Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Options

At Mercy, we focus on our patients and work to provide the full spectrum of care – not just through the diagnosis, but treatment as well. Although Parkinson’s disease is not curable, there are proven treatment and therapy options that help slow the progression of the disease and manage symptoms.

The movement disorder clinic at Mercy in Oklahoma City offers a variety of Parkinson’s therapy programs and treatment options for our patients. In addition to medication therapy, we offer treatment options that may help with symptom management including deep brain stimulation (DBS), Botox injections as well as a variety of therapy classes and support groups.

Botox for Parkinson’s Patients

Botulinum toxin is a highly successful treatment for movement disorders in adults such as dystonia, spasticity, blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm. Patients with abnormal postures or tightness in their head, face, eyes, arm or leg may benefit greatly from Botox. It’s also proven effective in treating drooling in Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.

Botulinum toxin works by reducing the transmission of nerve signaling to muscles. The nerves take up the toxin and then lose the ability to release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. When strategically injected into problematic muscles, it can temporarily reduce their overactive contraction, which lets the normal muscles in that body part work better to maintain a more neutral and functional posture.

Your physician will educate you fully on the procedure, on the different toxins available that can be used for your condition, and what benefits they hope to achieve for your individual care management. It’s important to understand that you will not see an immediate effect from the medication – improvement generally begins within a two-day – two-week range.

Keep in mind that Botulinum toxin is not a cure for your disorder. It’s a symptomatic treatment option to help you with your activities of daily living.

Talk to your Mercy neurologist about Botox as a treatment for Parkinson’s Disease.

What to Expect on Your First Visit

During your first visit at the Meinders Center for Movement Disorders, we’ll spend time getting to know you, your symptoms and your health history. To make the most of your time with the neurologist, please bring the following items to your appointment.