Bobath Therapy: a solution for loss of physical capacity

Millions of people around the world suffer from neurological disorders like stroke, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, or multiple sclerosis.

Patients would do anything to find a way to arrest or delay the progression of their symptoms. The Bobath therapy is one option to consider.

So what is the Bobath therapy?

It is a specialized approach also called the Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) approach. It is based on the idea that the central nervous system can adapt or reorganize itself through neuroplasticity.

After an injury, the brain can form new connections. Bobath therapy helps guide this process. Holistic in its approach, it doesn’t just work on a stiff arm or a weak leg. It works on the whole body, including how you walk, sit, move, and even breathe.

How does it work?

A trained therapist would observe how a person moves. They look for patterns that are abnormal or inefficient. You compensate when you cant use a specific body part called compensatory movement.

The goal is to reduce these and retrain the brain to use more normal movement patterns. This might include using hands-on techniques, positioning, guided movement, or resistance.

Let’s say your arm is stuck close to your body after a stroke. Instead of using just the other arm for everything, your therapist helps you learn how to reintroduce the affected arm into movement. Over time, this encourages the brain to reconnect with that limb.

So how can you benefit from this therapy?

You can use Bobath therapy at any stage of recovery. Early rehabilitation works best. Find a good trained physiotherapist trained in the method.

He or she would make you perform exercises. For example, standing from a chair, brushing your teeth, or walking across the room.

You’re not just strengthening muscles. You’re training your brain to remember how to move again.

Bobath therapy is not a cure. But it’s a powerful method to improve movement, independence, and your quality of life.

If you or someone you know is dealing with a neurological disorder, find a Bobath trained therapist. It could change how the body learns to move again.

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