143 Coppetts Rd, London N10 1JP
Cerebral Palsy
England
Specialist Bobath Neuro-Therapy & Training Centre
UNDERSTANDING THE CONDITIONS
Information for families, patients & professionals
Understanding cerebral palsy, stroke, and the Bobath approach helps families make informed decisions about the care they seek.
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What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in childhood. It is a group of permanent, non-progressive conditions caused by damage to the developing brain — before, during, or shortly after birth — that affects movement, posture, and motor function.
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CP affects around 1 in 400 births in the UK. While the brain damage does not worsen over time, the impact on the body can change as the child grows.
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Types of cerebral palsy:
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Spastic CP — increased muscle stiffness and tightness (most common, ~80%)
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Dyskinetic/Athetoid CP — involuntary, uncontrolled movements
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Ataxic CP — problems with balance and coordination
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Mixed CP — features of more than one type
Cerebral Palsy can affect one limb (monoplegia), one side (hemiplegia), both legs (diplegia), or all four limbs (quadriplegia). Many children also have associated conditions, including epilepsy, vision, hearing, and communication difficulties.
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The Bobath Approach
The Bobath Concept is a specialised, problem-solving approach to the assessment and treatment of people with neurological conditions — developed by Berta and Karel Bobath in the 1940s and refined through decades of clinical practice and neuroscience research.
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Rather than treating the symptoms in isolation, the Bobath approach works with the individual's unique neurological profile to:
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Improve the quality and efficiency of movement
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Reduce the impact of atypical tone
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Develop functional skills for everyday activities
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Enable participation in daily life, school, work, and community
Bobath therapy is highly skilled and hands-on. Our therapists are EBTA-registered, meaning they meet the highest European standards for Bobath practice and instruction.
WHY IT MATTERS
Early Intervention: the most powerful therapy window
The first two years of life are a critical period of rapid brain development. In this window, the brain is highly neuroplastic - meaning it can reorganise and form new connections in response to therapy and experience. Starting Bobath therapy early for babies at risk or diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy can significantly alter the course of their development.
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80%
OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT BY AGE 3
2x
BETTER OUTCOMES WITH EARLY START
0-2
YEARS: PEAK NEUROPLASTICITY WINDOW
Don't wait for a diagnosis — if you have concerns about your baby's development, contact us now.
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Stroke Rehabilitation with the Bobath Approach
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in the UK, with around 100,000 strokes occurring each year. A stroke disrupts blood supply to the brain, causing damage that can affect movement, balance, coordination, speech, and sensation on one or both sides of the body.
The Bobath approach is extensively used in stroke rehabilitation, helping survivors:
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Regain movement and function on the affected side
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Improve walking pattern, balance, and stability
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Reduce spasticity and abnormal muscle tone
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Regain independence in daily activities
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Improve quality of life and participation
Our therapists are experienced in both early post-stroke and long-term rehabilitation, and can provide therapy at our London centre or in your home.
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Neuroplasticity: Your Brain Can Change
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. After a stroke or brain injury, surrounding healthy brain tissue can take over functions from damaged areas — especially with skilled, targeted rehabilitation.
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This is the scientific basis for why Bobath therapy works — and why it's never too late to start.