Understanding the 6 Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery (And How to Use Them to Maximize Your Rehab)

Recovering from a stroke is a journey—one that’s often confusing, frustrating, and filled with uncertainty. If you’ve found yourself asking, “Where do I even start?” or “What exercises are right for me?”, you’re not alone.

At Indy Stroke & Neuro, we simplify that process with a proven framework called the Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery—a 6-stage model that helps you understand where you are in your journey and what your next steps should be.

What Are the Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery?

The Brunnstrom approach breaks recovery down into 6 progressive stages. Each stage reflects different patterns of movement, muscle tone, and motor control. Understanding your current stage helps you choose the right rehabilitation strategies and avoid wasting time on exercises your brain isn’t ready for yet.

Let’s do a quick walk through each stage:

Stage 1: Flaccidity (No Movement)

In this early stage, there’s no voluntary movement in the affected limb. The muscles are flaccid, and reflexes may be absent.

✅ Focus: Mental practice, visualization, positioning to prevent contractures, and electrical stimulation to spark early brain-muscle reconnection.

Stage 2: Early Spasticity + Synergies Appear

Minimal movement begins, but it follows a pattern called synergy—meaning you can move, but not in a controlled or isolated way. Muscle tone increases (spasticity).

✅ Focus: Guided active-assisted movement, FES (functional electrical stimulation), and early coordination training within those synergies.

Stage 3: Peak Spasticity + Voluntary Movement in Synergy

Spasticity is at its highest, but voluntary control improves within the synergy patterns.

✅ Focus: Controlled repetition of movement, strength training within synergy, and safe mobility activities like transfers or reaching in sitting.

Stage 4: Spasticity Declines + Out-of-Synergy Movement

You begin to break free from synergy patterns. Movements become more isolated and intentional.

✅ Focus: Fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, functional reaching, and task-specific exercises like grasp and release or stacking objects.

Stage 5: Complex Movement + Near Normal Synergy

You can now perform more complex movements, like combining joint motions or reaching in different planes.

✅ Focus: Functional training, resistance work, and coordination drills like dressing practice, kitchen tasks, or simulated ADLs.

Stage 6: Near Normal Movement

You’ve reached a point where movement is controlled, fluid, and nearly normal. Fine motor and gross motor skills are functional.

✅ Focus: Higher-level balance, community mobility, fine motor precision, and task complexity.

Why Knowing Your Stage Matters

Each stage requires a different rehab approach. If you're doing advanced coordination drills but you're still in Stage 2, it can feel impossible and discouraging. On the flip side, if you’re capable of more but stuck doing Stage 1 exercises, you’re missing out on progress.

That’s why we created our free Self-Assessment Video, so you can identify your stage and immediately start doing exercises that match your current ability.

🎁 [Get Started for Free] – Watch the self-assessment video and get a personalized plan with links to YouTube videos tailored to your stage.

Find the Right Exercises for Your Stage

Once you’ve taken the self-assessment, head over to our YouTube channel where all our videos are labeled by recovery stage. You’ll find:

• Stage-specific guided workouts

• Tips for caregivers

• Mental practice and visualization routines

• Progress tracking strategies

• And more!

🧠 Whether you're in Stage 1 or Stage 6, we’ve got evidence-based strategies to help you recover from a stroke more quickly and effectively.

Bonus: Want a Tailored Stroke Recovery Plan?

If you're ready to take the next step beyond YouTube, consider joining our Online Stroke Recovery Coaching Program. We offer customized support, virtual progress checks, and professional guidance to help you reach your goals faster—with or without hands-on therapy.

Final Thoughts

The Brunnstrom stages aren’t just theory—they’re a map for your recovery. And once you know where you are, you can make informed decisions that move you forward.

👉 Start with our free Self-Assessment Video👉 Find your stage-specific exercises on [our YouTube channel]👉 Get expert help through our online stroke therapy program

Recovery is possible. And with the right tools, it’s closer than you think.