Neurologist shares 5 early signs of Parkinson's, says don't dismiss stiffness and slow movements as ageing symptoms

Watch for early signs of Parkinson's disease, like stiffness and slower movements. Early detection is key to better management and quality of life.

It is common for people to attribute stiffness, slower movements, or reduced balance to “just getting older,” to see these changes as part of life, and to adapt to them. Nevertheless, neurologists warn that if you experience stiffness throughout your body and your movements have become slow, this may not be due to motor ageing. Sometimes, it can be an indication of Parkinson's disease, a disorder of the nervous system that is progressive but responds well to early intervention and treatment.

Know signs of Parkinson's for early detection. (Adobe Stock)

By Tavishi Dogra

Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust.

Career journey and experience
Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon.

From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?”

Subject expertise
With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions.

In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context.

Education and professional background
Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first.

Editorial Philosophy
I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers.

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What is Parkinson's?

The slow degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain leads to the disorder known as Parkinson’s disease. The degeneration occurs in the substantia nigra, affecting the basal ganglia circuitry. Dopamine levels decrease, and with them, the ability to make smooth, controlled movements. "Part of the reason why early signs of Parkinson's disease often appear so gradually and go undetected is that these signs have been previously attributed to either the normal process of getting older or to fatigue", Neurologist Dr Shrawan Kumar Chaudhary, Manipal Hospital, Jaipur, tells Health Shots.

What are the symptoms of Parkinson's stiffness?

"Symptoms of stiffness and slowed movements associated with Parkinson's disease have a different appearance from those that occur simply with ageing. The persistent, increasing severity of symptoms of Parkinson’s, and the initial development of them on one side of the body must be taken into notice," says the neurologist.

1. Difficulty initiating movement: A person experiencing ‘stuck’ may have trouble initiating walking, rising from a chair, or completing a simple task. This will occur not due to weakness but to delayed signals from the brain to the body to initiate movement.
2. Less arm swing during walking: While walking, one arm could swing less than the other, which is often not noticed at first. This is one of the initial symptoms of movement asymmetry frequently observed in Parkinson’s disease.
3. Slowness in daily activities: Activities such as buttoning a shirt, tying shoelaces, and brushing teeth are taking longer than usual. The movements are more minor, slower, and less automatic.
4. Muscle tightness: People with Parkinson's disease experience rigidity that does not improve with stretching or rest, unlike age-related stiffness. The affected muscles remain tight throughout the day.
5. Rigidity in the limbs: Patients frequently report their limbs, especially arms or legs, as being heavy, stiff, or not allowing movement, although the strength of the muscles is still normal.

How to manage Parkinson's disease?

Managing Parkinson's disease primarily focuses on controlling symptoms and preserving mobility. "Medications that enhance dopamine activity can lessen muscle rigidity and make slowed movements easier", says the doctor. Regular physiotherapy and exercises are indispensable for maintaining balance and flexibility.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) treatment can be an option for some patients when drugs are not effective enough. "Some cases of stiffness and slow movement are not necessarily signs of ageing. If these symptoms persist and negatively impact your daily life, they must be medically addressed," says the expert. Early detection of Parkinson's signs can lead to better symptom control and a higher quality of life.

(Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.)