7. Bobath therapy

The Bobath concept considers every person with damage to the nervous system individually and holistically. The medically prescribed Bobath therapy may only be carried out by certified physiotherapists, speech therapists and ergotherapists. These therapists, who are trained in special Bobath courses, have successfully completed the obligatory teaching and learning objective controls.

In contrast to other therapy concepts, there are no standardized exercises in the Bobath concept. The focus is on individual and everyday therapeutic activities that accompany the patient in his daily routine. It is a 24-hour concept.

The nervous system has the ability to learn for a lifetime. After damage, the plasticity of the brain makes it possible to activate new capacities. The Bobath therapists support the affected patient in his individual learning process.

Which patients?

It can be employed:

    after a stroke
    after craniocerebral trauma or cerebral hemorrhage
    for multiple sclerosis
    Parkinson's disease
    and other neurological and neuromuscular diseases

 Possible impairments after damage to the CNS

The CNS is the central nervous system. This includes the brain and spinal cord.

Affected persons may have disorders in the development of muscle strength and in the absorption and processing of sensory impressions. This leads to an altered body sensation. The patients are often impaired in their balance and control over posture and movement. They can only plan and perform actions to a limited extent. They can also be impaired in their ability to participate in life due to speech, language and swallowing disorders as well as memory and attention deficits. Personality changes are also possible.

The focus is on the patient

The patient's needs, which arise from his previous life, his social environment and his interests, are the focus of the therapeutic influence. The objective is to regain the quality of life in a self-reliant, self-determined everyday life and to avoid consequential damage such as joint restrictions and pain as far as possible. The individual learning path of the affected person should enable active participation in life.

The therapeutic team

From the very first day after a stroke, for example, the patient should be cared for by an interdisciplinary team trained in the Bobath concept. The professional groups treating the patient are oriented towards the patient's abilities and impairments. Doctors, nursing staff, physiotherapists, speech therapists, ergotherapists and neuropsychologists work together on an interdisciplinary basis. This forms the basis of the problem-solving approach in the diagnostic assessment and treatment according to the Bobath concept.

Patient and therapist in dialogue

In the treatment process, both patient and therapist are in an ongoing active relationship with each other - they interact.

The therapist's hands support the patient only when necessary. The central objective of the Bobath concept is to enable, challenge and promote the patient's own activity. The objective is an efficient posture and movement control. This improves the balance of the patient and gives him more security in his everyday life.

For people with severe disabilities, this can mean securing vital functions such as cardiovascular stability and alertness. In addition, Bobath therapy facilitates and supports nursing measures.