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A stroke, head injury or neurological illness can change your life overnight. Movement becomes difficult, speech no longer functions as usual and everyday orientation can vanish. This is precisely where neurological rehab comes in: Step by step, it gives you the chance to regain your strength and to find a route back to independent living.

What is neurological rehabilitation?

Neuro rehabilitation is a specialized medical treatment and exercise program for people with illnesses and injuries to the nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerve pathways. The goal is to recover lost skills or to find new ways to deal with limitations.


Why is it so important? Because the nervous system, with its billions of connections, controls almost all physical and mental functions – from breathing and movement to memory and speech. As such, damage can affect very different areas of life. Our inpatient neurology rehabilitation center offers ideal intensive support and a specialist therapeutic environment to provide the best possible treatment. Neurorehab supports you to overcome these challenges and gradually win back your quality of life.

Patient during gait therapy on Lokomat accompanied by a therapist.

What can neuro rehabilitation be used for?

Neuro rehab is used for very different illnesses and symptoms – from acute events such as strokes to chronic conditions like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. Each treatment plan is individually tailored to the situation and the patient’s aims.

Common neurological illnesses:

Stroke

Stroke early rehabilitation

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Parkinson’s

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia

Brain injuries and subsequent neurological damage

Neurological issues following inflammatory diseases

Other neurological symptoms:

  • Memory problems and difficulty concentrating
  • Visual disturbances (double vision, facial paralysis)
  • Dysphagia
  • Balance disorders
  • Chronic headaches
  • Sleeping disorders
  • Chronic fatigue / chronic tiredness

 

The process of neurological rehabilitation

With inpatient rehabilitation, patients stay at our rehab center for several weeks. This allows for intensive support with several therapy sessions each day, all under close medical supervision. 

 

Admission consultation:

Joint assessment and goal-setting.

Personal therapy plan:

Usually 4 to 6 therapies per weekday and 2 to 3 on Saturdays.

Regular monitoring:

Weekly consultations, adapting the plan to demonstrate progress so far and ensure it continues.

Discharge planning:

Targeted preparation once the rehabilitation goals have been achieved.

Aftercare:

Advice and additional services to ensure progress is maintained at home.

Our range of therapies

We work with a wide range of therapies during neurological rehabilitation. We tailor our approach so each individual patient receives the best possible support.

 

Conventional therapies

  • Physiotherapy – improves mobility, strength, and coordination. 
  • Occupational therapy – practice daily activities and hand functions.
  • Speech therapy – treats language, speech, and swallowing disorders
  • Neuropsychology – supports attention, memory, and problem-solving strategies.
Physical therapist and patient doing an exercise with a ball.
Patient and therapist during neuropsychology.
Therapist performing hand massage on a patient lying down.
A patient's legs during an exercise on a semicircular ball, accompanied by a therapist.
Therapist positions the patient correctly for an exercise on the exercise ball.

Special therapies

  • Orthoptics – corrects vision impairments such as double vision.
  • Neuro-urology – treats bladder and continence problems.
  • LSVT-BIG – exercises designed to enhance the breadth and strength of movements for Parkinson’s patients. 
  • Dysphagia therapy – training swallowing and facilitating food intake.
  • Hippotherapy – using horses to support balance and muscle control.
  • Music therapy – activate speech, motor skills and mood through rhythm and sound.
Patient during an orthoptic examination.

Technology-assisted therapies

  • Robotics therapy – support and initiate movements with state-of-the-art exercise equipment. 
  • Computer-assisted procedures – improves movement sequences and cognitive abilities.
Patient performs therapy with ArmeoSping.
Patient and therapist during therapy with the Robotrainer Pro from ddRobotec.
Patient during gait therapy on Lokomat accompanied by a therapist.
View of the Myro by tyromotion during a therapy session.
A patient's legs on the C-Mill treadmill.

Modern neurostimulation

  • rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation)  – activates nerve cells with magnetic impulses.
  • TPS® (transcranial pulse stimulation) – stimulates brain cells with sonic waves.
  • Vagus nerve stimulation – stimulates the nerve and supports regeneration.
Patient undergoing TPS therapy.
Patient and therapist during TPS therapy.
A doctor performs vagus nerve stimulation on a patient lying in bed.

Our specialists in neurological rehab

Our specialist neurologists are internationally recognized with many years of experience in treating complex clinical cases. They support you throughout your rehabilitation, offering medical excellence and an attentive service.

Portrait of Dr. med. Daniel Zutter.

Dr. med. Daniel Zutter

Chief Physician and Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer VITREA Switzerland

Specialist in Neurology and Internal Medicine

German, English, Italian

Portrait of Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Krakow.

Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Krakow

Chief Physician of Neurological Rehabilitation and Early Rehabilitation, Deputy Medical Director

Specialist in Neurology

German, English

Portrait of Dr. med. Stefan Schuko.

Dr. med. Stefan Schuko

Head Physician International Ward

Specialist in Neurology

German, Russian

Portrait of Dr. Claudia Baum.

Dr. med. Claudia Baum

Head Physician, MS specialist

Specialist in Neurology

German, English

Dr. med. Carlo Wilke

Head of Parkinson's Center

Specialist in Neurology

German, English

Dr. med. Susanna Meier

Head Physician, Co-Head of Early Rehabilitation

Specialist in Internal Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine

German, English

Portrait of Dr. med. Benedigt Bader.

Dr. med. Benedikt Bader

Deputy Chief Physician, Co-Head of Early Rehabilitation

Specialist in Neurology, specializing in Intensive Care Medicine

German, English

Our neurology rehabilitation center in Switzerland

We offer inpatient neuro rehabilitation in Zihlschlacht. The Zihlschlacht rehabilitation center is home to the largest robotics center in Europe and offers over 20 years’ experience with international patients.

 

FAQs

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What is the earliest possible admission date?

The earliest possible admission date depends on the department concerned and the status of your documentation (e.g. medical reports, insurance cost approval). Waiting times are usually between 7 and 10 days.

As soon as we have all the necessary documents, we will inform you of the earliest possible admission date.

What languages do the staff at the rehab center speak?

Our staff all speak German, French and English. In addition, there are several other languages spoken, like Croatian, Russian and Italian. We will clarify whether your language is represented among our specialist staff. Should this not be the case, we work with interpreters or translation devices, as required. 

Can my relatives stay with me?

Relatives can stay overnight in your room for free. If you would like separate accommodation, the International Office can support you to find a suitable solution.

How many treatments and treatment minutes are offered per day?

We offer a customized, intensive treatment program from Monday to Saturday. The number and duration of treatments is based on your medical diagnosis, your capacity, and the goals of your therapy.

After admission, your exact treatment plan will be determined with our interdisciplinary team to ensure the best-possible holistic treatment. Usually, there are 4 to 6 treatments from Monday to Friday and 2 to 3 on Saturdays.

Are you interested in neurological rehabilitation?
We’re here for you.

International Office Team.
Let's talk

Get in touch

International Office
 Kerstin Rizzello & Luca Zimmermann
+41 71 424 33 66 international@vitrea-gesundheit.ch