Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressing degenerative brain disorder that leads to tremors and difficulties with walking, balance, and coordination. It is the most common form of parkinsonism, a group of motor system disorders. There is no cure for this disease but there are highly effective treatments that can significantly ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and allow patients to live a productive and fulfilling life. Dopamine is a chemical that helps the nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. When dopamine is missing from certain areas of the brain, the messages that tell the body how to move are lost or distorted - resulting in movement disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Every individual experiences symptoms differently, but the most common symptoms are:

• Muscle rigidity – Experiencing stiffness when the arm, leg, or neck is moved back and forth.
• Tremor – An involuntary movement from contracting muscles that can be most pronounced at rest.
• Bradykinesia – A difficulty and slowness when trying to move.
• Postural instability – Having poor posture, a compromised gait, and impaired coordination that can cause difficulty moving and falls.