Symptom 2. Rigidity: Stiffness and Resistance to Movement
Muscle rigidity is another formidable symptom of parkinsonism, adding to the suffering of those affected. Imagine your muscles being in a state of constant tension or contraction. That’s the harsh reality for many Parkinson’s patients who experience stiffness in any part of the body.
This increased muscle tone, termed ‘rigidity,’ can be localized or generalized. It can create a palpable resistance to passive movement. This means when someone else attempts to move the patient’s limb, they would feel an unnatural level of resistance, as if the muscles are unwilling to relax.
Interestingly, this rigidity doesn’t exhibit the same in everyone. Some people may feel it as stiffness or inflexibility in the joint or limb. Others may sense aches and pain in muscles, often misattributed to overexertion or aging.
Rigidity can be particularly troublesome when it affects the muscles of the trunk. In such cases, it can interfere with the fluidity of movements, making them appear mechanical or ‘robot-like.’ Bending, turning, or twisting the body can become daunting tasks.
Rigidity can also influence facial expressions, giving rise to the infamous ‘mask-like’ appearance. The muscles of the face become taut, reducing spontaneous facial expressions and blinking. This can be mistaken for a change in personality, whereas it’s a mere consequence of muscular stiffness. (2)
