Brunnstrom stages of recovery

[glen22]

She was a Swedish physical therapist emphasising the synergetic pattern of movement which develops during recovery from hemiplegia.
Brunnstrom (1966, 1970) described the process of recovery following stroke-induced hemiplegia. The process was divided into a number of stages:
Synergy - A whole series of muscles are recruited when just a few are needed. Trying to reach forward, The arm wings outward, the shoulder lifts, the wrist curls down. Lots of this is from spasticity

1. Flaccidity (immediately after the onset)
No "voluntary" movements on the affected side can be initiated
2. Spasticity appears
Basic synergy patterns appear
Minimal voluntary movements may be present
3. Patient gains voluntary control over synergies
Increase in spasticity
4. Some movement patterns out of synergy are mastered (synergy patterns still predominate)
Decrease in spasticity
5. If progress continues, more complex movement combinations are learned as the basic synergies lose their dominance over motor acts
Further decrease in spasticity
6. Disappearance of spasticity
Individual joint movements become possible and coordination approaches normal
7. Normal function is restored

I did not receive this style of therapy, I got NDT from Bobath
I found this in a PMR site which has lots more good information.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?indexed=google&rid=physmedrehab.section.726
So ask your therapist which model they follow, Bobath/NDT or brunnstrom, I am now a firm believer in Brunnstrom. i think it allows better recovery since it seems like you are making more progress.
Glen