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Neurological rehabilitation in Switzerland

A stroke, brain injury or other neurological condition can change your life in an instant. The right neurological rehabilitation can make all the difference on the road to recovery. At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht in Switzerland, international patients benefit from exceptional medical care in an environment designed to support recovery from start to finish – with consideration for both you and your family. 

A stroke, brain injury or other neurological condition can change your life in an instant. The right neurological rehabilitation can make all the difference on the road to recovery. 

At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht in Switzerland, international patients benefit from exceptional medical care in an environment designed to support recovery from start to finish – with consideration for both you and your family. 

Why choose neurological rehabilitation in Switzerland?

People who travel abroad for rehabilitation do so for one reason: to receive the best possible treatment. Switzerland offers the ideal conditions, with one of the world’s most advanced healthcare systems, short waiting times, state-of-the-art treatment methods, intensive therapy programs and clinics that put people first.

There is also something less tangible, but no less important at play: peace and quiet. Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht is situated amid the gentle rolling hills of Thurgau, surrounded by orchards and meadows, just a few kilometers from Lake Constance and with views of the Alps. Here, international patients can recover in peaceful surroundings, away from the demands and distractions of everyday life.

This combination of first-class medical care and a restorative environment makes Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht the preferred choice for neurological rehabilitation for patients from Switzerland and abroad. 

Patient during gait therapy on Lokomat accompanied by a therapist.

Five reasons to choose neurological rehabilitation at VITREA in Switzerland

Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht has been treating people with neurological conditions for almost 40 years and welcoming international patients for more than 20 years. With a dedicated international ward, Europe’s largest center for therapeutic robotic rehabilitation therapy and exceptional patient care, the neurological rehabilitation clinic has earned a reputation that extends well beyond Switzerland’s borders. 

 

Medical excellence you can rely on

Expertise makes all the difference. At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, you receive care from internationally recognized neurology specialists with expertise in neurological rehabilitation, supported by a large interdisciplinary team of therapists and nursing professionals. Our approach combines research-led, evidence-based rehabilitation, supplemented by robotic therapy and advanced neurostimulation techniques. Your personalized treatment plan is designed around your personal rehabilitation goals and is reviewed and refined every week throughout your stay.

Peace, nature and a break from everyday life

Recovery takes more than excellent medical care. Located just an hour from Zurich Airport and a few kilometers from Lake Constance, Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht is surrounded by lush greenery, fresh air and idyllic tranquility. This is a place where you can focus on yourself, your rehabilitation and the road ahead.

A dedicated ward for international patients

At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, international patients receive care on a dedicated ward led by a renowned neurologist and rehabilitation specialist, with support from multilingual doctors and nursing professionals.

We respect all cultural and religious needs and maintain absolute discretion at all times. An accompanying person may also stay overnight in the patient’s room, and arrangements can be made to combine several rooms if required.

Services for international patients

Traveling abroad for rehabilitation naturally raises many questions. Our international team supports you from your initial inquiry through to your return home, providing personal assistance throughout your stay. We can help with visas and entry requirements, travel arrangements and transportation, clarification of costs with insurance companies, translation and interpreting services, personal assistance and accommodation for family members. 

More about the international team

 

Follow-up care beyond borders

Your rehabilitation doesn’t end when you leave the clinic. During your stay, our therapists will gladly put together personalized exercise programs that you can follow independently at home. You may also continue to consult our senior doctors through online consultations.

Conditions we treat through neurological rehabilitation

Stroke and early stroke rehabilitation

The sooner rehabilitation begins, the greater the potential for recovery. At VITREA in Switzerland, we accept patients directly from acute care hospitals. Our early and ongoing rehabilitation programs address:

  • Strokes and brain hemorrhages
  • Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body (hemiparesis)
  • Language and speech disorders (aphasia and dysarthria)
  • Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
  • Impaired spatial awareness (neglect) and visual field loss
  • Neuropsychological impairments

Multiple sclerosis (MS) & Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease and MS are chronic neurological conditions that require ongoing adjustments to a patient’s treatment. At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, we treat international patients with: 

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia

Dementia transforms the day-to-day lives of those affected and their families. We help international patients maintain their existing abilities while feeling more confident and secure in their daily lives. At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, we treat patients with:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Vascular and mixed forms of dementia
  • Memory, orientation and difficulty concentrating

Spinal cord injury and paralysis

An injury or disease affecting the spinal cord often leads to reduced mobility and other functional impairments. Through targeted rehabilitation, we work with patients every day to help them gradually regain as much independence as possible. We treat:

Brain injuries and neurological complications

Accidents or brain surgery can lead to a wide range of neurological impairments. Our early and ongoing rehabilitation programs support international patients with: 

  • Traumatic brain injuries and traumatic brain hemorrhages
  • Neurological impairments following brain surgery
  • Oxygen deprivation to the brain (hypoxia), e.g. following cardiac arrest
  • Neurological complications involving paralysis, spasticity or cognitive impairment

Neurological complications following inflammatory disease

We help international patients recovering from inflammation of the brain or nerves gradually rebuild their strength and endurance and improve other affected functions. At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, we treat patients with:

  • Meningitis and encephalitis
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Polyneuropathy, including following intensive care treatment
  • Neurological complications associated with long COVID

Other neurological symptoms

We also treat patients experiencing:

  • Memory and difficulty concentrating
  • Visual disturbances, including double vision and visual field loss
  • Swallowing difficulties
  • Impaired balance and dizziness
  • Chronic headaches
  • Sleep disorders
  • Chronic fatigue

Neurological rehabilitation is a specialized medical treatment and training program for people with conditions or injuries affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve pathways.

The aim is to help patients regain lost abilities or find new ways to manage their limitations. At our clinic in Switzerland, we treat international patients with the following conditions:

 

Conditions we treat through neurological rehabilitation

Neurological rehabilitation is a specialized medical treatment and training program for people with conditions or injuries affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve pathways.

The aim is to help patients regain lost abilities or find new ways to manage their limitations. At our clinic in Switzerland, we treat international patients with the following conditions:

 

Stroke and early stroke rehabilitation

The sooner rehabilitation begins, the greater the potential for recovery. At VITREA in Switzerland, we accept patients directly from acute care hospitals. Our early and ongoing rehabilitation programs address:

  • Strokes and brain hemorrhages
  • Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body (hemiparesis)
  • Language and speech disorders (aphasia and dysarthria)
  • Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
  • Impaired spatial awareness (neglect) and visual field loss
  • Neuropsychological impairments

Multiple sclerosis (MS) & Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease and MS are chronic neurological conditions that require ongoing adjustments to a patient’s treatment. At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, we treat international patients with: 

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia

Dementia transforms the day-to-day lives of those affected and their families. We help international patients maintain their existing abilities while feeling more confident and secure in their daily lives. At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, we treat patients with:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Vascular and mixed forms of dementia
  • Memory, orientation and difficulty concentrating

Spinal cord injury and paralysis

An injury or disease affecting the spinal cord often leads to reduced mobility and other functional impairments. Through targeted rehabilitation, we work with patients every day to help them gradually regain as much independence as possible. We treat:

Brain injuries and neurological complications

Accidents or brain surgery can lead to a wide range of neurological impairments. Our early and ongoing rehabilitation programs support international patients with: 

  • Traumatic brain injuries and traumatic brain hemorrhages
  • Neurological impairments following brain surgery
  • Oxygen deprivation to the brain (hypoxia), e.g. following cardiac arrest
  • Neurological complications involving paralysis, spasticity or cognitive impairment

Neurological complications following inflammatory disease

We help international patients recovering from inflammation of the brain or nerves gradually rebuild their strength and endurance and improve other affected functions. At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, we treat patients with:

  • Meningitis and encephalitis
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Polyneuropathy, including following intensive care treatment
  • Neurological complications associated with long COVID

Other neurological symptoms

We also treat patients experiencing:

  • Memory and difficulty concentrating
  • Visual disturbances, including double vision and visual field loss
  • Swallowing difficulties
  • Impaired balance and dizziness
  • Chronic headaches
  • Sleep disorders
  • Chronic fatigue

Treatments and therapies of our neurological rehabilitation programs

We offer international patients a wide range of advanced therapies, from robot-assisted therapy and neuromodulation procedures to neurourology and orthoptics.

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.
A patient is training with the Lokomat® gait trainer from Hocoma, assisted 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.
Close-up of a hand with a yellow massage ball.

What to expect from neurological rehabilitation in Switzerland

International patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation stay at our rehabilitation clinic for several weeks. This enables us to provide an intensive program of care, with multiple therapy sessions each day and 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 neurological rehabilitation specialists

Our neurologists are internationally recognized experts in neurological rehabilitation, speak several languages and have many years of experience treating complex neurological conditions. They accompany you through your full rehabilitation process, combining medical excellence with attentive, personalized care.

Portrait of Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Krakow.

Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Krakow

Medical Director, Chief Physician of Neurological Rehabilitation and Early Rehabilitation

Specialist in Neurology

German, English

Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Krakow
Portrait of Dr. med. Stefan Schuko.

Dr. med. Stefan Schuko

Head Physician International Ward, Medical Director International Operations

Specialist in Neurology

German, Russian

Dr. med. Stefan Schuko
Portrait of Dr. Claudia Baum.

Dr. med. Claudia Baum

Head Physician, MS specialist

Specialist in Neurology

German, English

Dr. med. Claudia Baum
Portrait of Dr. med. Carlo Wilke.

Dr. med. Carlo Wilke

Director of Parkinson's Center

Specialist in Neurology

German, English

Dr. med. Carlo Wilke

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

Dr. med. Benedikt Bader

Our neurological rehabilitation specialists

Our neurologists are internationally recognized experts in neurological rehabilitation, speak several languages and have many years of experience treating complex neurological conditions. They accompany you through your full rehabilitation process, combining medical excellence with attentive, personalized care.

Portrait of Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Krakow.

Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Krakow

Medical Director, Chief Physician of Neurological Rehabilitation and Early Rehabilitation

Specialist in Neurology

German, English

Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Krakow
Portrait of Dr. med. Stefan Schuko.

Dr. med. Stefan Schuko

Head Physician International Ward, Medical Director International Operations

Specialist in Neurology

German, Russian

Dr. med. Stefan Schuko
Portrait of Dr. Claudia Baum.

Dr. med. Claudia Baum

Head Physician, MS specialist

Specialist in Neurology

German, English

Dr. med. Claudia Baum

Our neurological rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland

Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht is one of the leading specialist clinics for neurological rehabilitation. It is home to Europe’s largest robotics rehabilitation center and has over 20 years of experience caring for international patients.

 

VITREA flag in front of a blue sky and the sun shining.
A walking path leads past exercise equipment in the park at the Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht; behind it is a building with large windows.
Drone footage of the training facility in the park at the Zihlschlacht Rehabilitation Clinic.
There are many cows standing in a green meadow; one of them is looking directly at the camera.
Exterior view of the Münsterlingen Cantonal Hospital, where the Bodan early rehabilitation ward is located.

When can I start neurological rehabilitation at VITREA?

You can begin neurological rehabilitation at our clinic once your medical condition is stable and there is a clear rehabilitation goal. This may be immediately after discharge from an acute care hospital or if you feel your rehabilitation has reached a plateau.

As an international patient, you do not need a referral through the Swiss healthcare system. Instead, the admission process involves three steps:

1. Inquiry:

The easiest way to get started is to complete our contact form, explaining your needs in German, English or your preferred language. Alternatively, you can contact our international team by phone. Please include your medical records with your inquiry so that we have all the information we need.

2. Quotation:

You will receive a clear, personalized quotation tailored to your individual circumstances, with no obligation to proceed.

3. Admission:

Admission is usually possible within seven to 10 days, provided we have received all the necessary documentation. In the meantime, we’ll help arrange your travel, visa, airport transfer and accommodation for family members.

Do you live in Switzerland?

Visit our Swiss VITREA website for a complete overview of our clinics, including treatments and services available to patients living in Switzerland.

(Website in German only)

Traveling to Switzerland and staying with us

Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht is located in eastern Switzerland, between Zurich and Lake Constance. For international patients, Zurich Airport and St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport offer convenient travel connections, with the latter also accommodating private and business aircraft. If you wish, our international team can arrange your transfer directly from the airport to the clinic by private car, ambulance or helicopter.

More about traveling to the clinic

At Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, you can expect high standards of comfort and quality. Our Oasis private ward combines a hotel-like atmosphere with the highest standards of service for our international patients. 

More about the spezialized departments

 

Our services for international patients

Our international team supports you from your initial inquiry through to your return home, providing personal assistance throughout your stay. We handle many of the practical arrangements, so that you can focus on what matters most: your neurological rehabilitation. If you wish, we can also involve your family in the process.

We help with:

  • Visa and entry requirements

  • Travel to and from the clinic, including transportation

  • Clarifying costs with insurance providers

  • Translation/interpretation and personal assistance services

  • Accommodation for family members

  • Practical arrangements throughout your stay

Learn more about our comprehensive patient services
Group image of the international office team.

What our international patients say about their neurological rehabilitation

Frequently asked questions about neurological rehabilitation in Switzerland

Are you considering rehabilitation with VITREA? This is where international patients and their families can find answers to important questions about treatment, accommodation and practical arrangements relating to their stay.

Can’t find the answer to your question?

 

How soon can I be admitted for neurological rehabilitation?

The earliest available admission date depends on the medical specialty involved and whether we have received all the necessary documentation (e.g. medical reports and confirmation of cover by your insurer). The waiting time is usually around seven to 10 days.

Once we have received all the necessary documents, we will be pleased to inform you of the earliest possible admission date.

What languages do the clinic staff speak?

Most of our staff speak German, French and English. Many also speak other languages, including Croatian, Russian and Italian.

We will be happy to check whether our team members speak your preferred language. If not, we can arrange interpreters or translation tools as required.

Can family members stay with me?

Family members can stay overnight in your room free of charge. If they would prefer separate accommodation, our international team will be happy to help you find a suitable solution.

How many therapy sessions will I attend per day, and how long will they last?

We offer intensive, personalized therapy programs from Monday to Saturday. The number and duration of your sessions depend on your medical diagnosis, your physical condition and your therapy goals.

After admission, our multidisciplinary team will work with you to develop a detailed therapy plan that provides comprehensive care tailored to your needs. You can generally expect four to six therapy sessions per day from Monday to Friday and two to three sessions on Saturdays.

Interested in neurological rehabilitation in Switzerland?
We are here for you. 

Group image of the international office team.
Let’s talk

Get in touch

International Office
+41 71 424 33 66 international@vitrea-gesundheit.ch