Bobath concept was developed in 1943. when a gymnastic instructor, and later on a physiotherapist, Berta Bobath trained one hemiplegic patient, who was a famous portrait painter and whose condition was rated as incorrigible. Despite this assumption, she continued working with him and discovered how she can positively influence on his mobility.

Later on, her husband, doctor and neurologist Karel Bobath set up a scientific theory and elaborated a study.
It suddenly became clear that damaged nervous system can learn again despite the damage. Other areas took over the functions that were before preformed by the damaged tissue. Learning new functions was now able through new paths.

This ability of reorganizing was named plasticity of the central nervous system. Plasticity is dependant on usage and it is a result of a team work between a man and his environment. Motivation and concentration are necessary for learning. Knowledge on how a man developed and how he learned also has a great impact