{"id":31786,"date":"2022-04-18T09:10:15","date_gmt":"2022-04-18T16:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/?p=31786"},"modified":"2022-04-27T07:18:26","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T14:18:26","slug":"the-dark-side-of-parkinsons-disease-the-face-of-parkinsons-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/all-mfn\/the-dark-side-of-parkinsons-disease-the-face-of-parkinsons-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dark Side of Parkinson\u2019s Disease: The FACE of Parkinson\u2019s Disease, Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cOn the count of three say, ‘CHEESE\u2019!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The family reunion is captured with a photograph, but grandma (who has Parkinson\u2019s Disease) is not smiling. As a matter of fact, if you didn\u2019t know her you would think she was upset or completely disinterested in the moment. Later, while eating together, the family notices that grandma is drooling while eating and coughing after the meal. When asked if she is ok, her voice is barely above a whisper AND she mumbles, making it difficult to determine if she needs assistance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What happened to the once smiling, chatty, and boisterous grandma, who was always ready for a fun experience with her family?<\/span><\/p>\n

Her limited facial expression, trouble with swallowing, and decreased voice volume (hypophonia) are all consequences of the \u201c<\/span>dark side<\/i><\/b>\u201d of PD.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Parkinson\u2019s Disease is most often characterized by a tremor and\/or gait issues.\u00a0 Just as the moon has a dark side, unseen but present, Parkinson\u2019s Disease has a “<\/span>dark side”, unseen but very present..\u00a0 As a fitness professional, understanding the “<\/span>dark side” of Parkinson\u2019s Disease and how it affects your \u201cfighters” will enhance your program design skills, increase your confidence in counseling a \u201cfighter\u201d or care-partner and help build your relationship with other medical and fitness professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n

The goal of this article series is to shed light on the \u201c<\/span>dark side\u201d of PD, in the case of this article facial masking, swallowing, vocal issues.\u00a0 By incorporating the knowledge of medical professionals on my \u201cBridges For Parkinson\u2019s\u201d team, you will learn about research discoveries, resources for program design, useful tools for \u201cfighters\u201d and care-partners and ultimately, hope!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s begin with the Face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Facial Masking (also known as Hypomimia)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Did you know you have\u00a0 43 muscles in the face alone?\u00a0 According to the Cleveland Clinic, the craniofacial muscles are \u201cflat <\/span>muscles that attach to various places on your skull. The craniofacial muscles are essential to chewing and making facial expressions. They originate from bone or fascia and insert into your skin. Craniofacial muscles work together to control movements in your:<\/span><\/p>\n