What is a synergy?

What is a synergy?

In the early stages of stroke recovery, when the signals between your brain and your affected arm or leg muscles are not intact, the spinal cord (and lower brain centers) are in control of any motion that your limb might have.  This motion is being controlled almost reflexively, without the involvement of the most complex areas of your brain.  It occurs in predictable patterns that have been called synergies (which means they work together).  Here are some common synergistic patterns of movement after a stroke.

* Arm flexor synergy: Your shoulder pulls in toward your body, arm across your stomach, elbow bent, wrist bent, and fingers pulled into a fist
* Leg flexor synergy:  Hip and knee bent, leg pulled in toward other leg, and foot pulled up toward your shin
* Leg extensor synergy: Hip and knee straight, foot and toes pointed down away from you