1. The brain and spinal cord “understand” the structure and properties of the musculoskeletal system (and of musical instruments) and exploit these properties to control motion.
a. Muscles cause specific motions based on joint structure and on their attachments to the skeleton through tendons and fascia.
b. Muscles can act as motors, springs and brakes.
c. Our body segments have mass (inertia) that the nervous system exploits to produce graceful movements.

2. Muscles are recruited into action in groups called synergies.
a. Synergies are combined and sequenced to produce specific movements.
b. Synergies are commanded by systems in the brain, brainstem and spinal cord.

3. Several areas of the brain learn and execute skilled movements
a. Neural networks in the cerebral cortices represent the structural and functional bases of innate and learned movements. These representations form the body map.
b. The basal ganglia and cerebellum are “advisory” to the cortex and influence choices and coordination of movement sequences, respectively.

4. The cortex receives sensory information from muscles, joints and skin to monitor the actual movement, compare with the desired movement trajectory, and to make necessary corrections to the emerging synergies.

5. Mis-mappings are conceptual representations of body motions that are inconsistent with the structure of the musculoskeletal system and its efficient use.

6. Focal dystonias result from repetitive strain injuries and result in the disorganization of sensory feedback and its communication to the cortex, leading to abnormal synergies.