What Are the Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery? A Simple Guide to Know Your Stage

🧠 Understanding Your Stage is the First Step Toward Real Recovery.

What Are the Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery? A Simple Guide to Know Your Stage

Stroke recovery can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re not sure how far you’ve come or what to expect next. The Brunnstrom stages give us a roadmap: a 6-step framework that describes how motor recovery typically unfolds after a stroke.

Whether you’re just beginning or months into recovery, knowing your current Brunnstrom stage helps you set the right goals, choose better exercises, and track real progress. Let’s walk through it together.

What Are the Brunnstrom Stages?

The Brunnstrom Approach outlines six predictable stages of motor recovery after a stroke. Developed by physical therapist Signe Brunnstrom, this model is widely used by therapists to assess progress and plan treatment.

Recovery typically starts with flaccid paralysis and progresses through spasticity, synergy patterns, and eventually coordinated movement.

The 6 Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery

Brunnstrom Stage 1: Flaccidity – Your Starting Point in Recovery

• No voluntary movement

• Limb feels heavy and unresponsive

• Muscle tone is absent

• Often occurs immediately after stroke

Try This: Gentle passive movement and positioning to prevent contractures.

Brunnstrom Stage 2: Beginning Spasticity and Synergy

• Early signs of muscle activation

• Spasticity begins

• Movements may follow basic synergy patterns (e.g., elbow flexes automatically when shoulder moves)

Try This: Guided exercises using synergy patterns with focus on safety and repetition.

Brunnstrom Stage 3: Peak Spasticity and Synergy Domination

• Spasticity is more noticeable

• Movements are limited to strong synergy patterns

• Voluntary movement possible but not isolated

Try This: Functional task training like reaching, grasping, or stepping using synergy support.

Brunnstrom Stage 4: Breaking Out of Synergy

• Begin to move outside of synergy patterns

• Spasticity starts to decline

• More complex movements emerge (e.g., reaching across body)

Try This: Bilateral tasks, simple cooking tasks, or using resistance bands for isolated control.

Brunnstrom Stage 5: Complex Movement Returns

• Synergy patterns diminish

• Improved control of movement sequences

• Better coordination in daily tasks

Try This: Writing, dressing with affected hand, or carrying light items.

Brunnstrom Stage 6: Near Normal Movement

• Coordination approaches pre-stroke ability

• Spasticity nearly gone

• Able to combine movement patterns smoothly

Try This: Advanced functional goals like tying shoes, dancing, or using hand tools.

Why Understanding Your Stage Matters

Most stroke survivors stop progressing not because recovery is done—but because their plan no longer matches their needs.

By identifying your Brunnstrom stage, you can:

• Avoid exercises that are too easy or too hard

• Set realistic goals

• Track small wins more effectively

• Stay motivated during plateaus

Want the full recovery roadmap? Check out our blog on how long stroke recovery takes.

Real Recovery Example: Mary’s Story

Mary had a right-sided stroke and stayed stuck at Stage 5 for months. With the right daily task training and consistent home exercises, she progressed from being unable to hold a fork to using her hand to cook and button her clothes—all within 12 weeks.

Her story is a reminder: Recovery doesn’t stop until you stop.

Take the Free Recovery Quiz

Still not sure what stage you’re in?

🎯 Take the Free 5-Minute Stroke Recovery Quiz to find out your current stage and get exercises that match it.

Final Thoughts

The Brunnstrom stages help you make sense of a recovery journey that often feels uncertain. Every stroke survivor progresses differently—but the stages give you a language and a structure to build your plan.

Need help taking the next step? You don’t have to figure it out alone.

✅ Join our Online Stroke Recovery Coaching Program for personalized support, expert feedback, and progress tracking.

🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for guided stroke recovery exercises.

📥 Download the Free Recovery Roadmap to identify your stage and start today.