Muscle Stiffness in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease affects over 1.5 million Americans, according to the American Parkinson Disease Association. This neurological conditions causes a number of symptoms, including muscle stiffness and rigidity.

Time Frame

• Symptoms of Parkinson's are likely to begin around the age of 60, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Symptoms usually begin with only minor stiffness, with more severe rigidity developing over a period of several months or years.

Causes

• While the exact causes of Parkinson's disease are unknown, doctors know the condition is linked to insufficient amounts of a chemical messenger called dopamine in your brain. Because dopamine contributes to the brain's control over movement, a deficiency in the brain could cause muscle stiffness that makes it difficult for you to move, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Features

• The stiffness associated with Parkinson's disease typically becomes severe and painful with time. This limits your range of motion and makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Risks

• Over time, muscle stiffness caused by Parkinson's can make it difficult to use both the muscles in your mouth and throat as well as at that base of your pelvis, making it difficult for you to talk, swallow and maintain continence, per Mayo Clinic.

Treatment

• Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's, though many patients find relief from symptoms by using prescription drugs that convert into dopamine in your brain or mimic its actions. Some patients also benefit from physical therapy or surgical electrical stimulation of the brain.