Looking for a Physiotherapist in Basel?

We've Got You Covered – Physiotherapy in English.

PhysioBasel is the English-speaking physiotherapy practice for everyone in and around Basel – expats, internationals, athletes, and locals alike. Five convenient locations, open Monday to Saturday, with same-day appointments for urgent cases.

Finding a good physiotherapist in Basel who speaks fluent English is not always straightforward. The city is home to tens of thousands of international professionals – working at Novartis, Roche, the Bank for International Settlements, and countless other global organisations – yet many clinics operate exclusively in German.

At PhysioBasel, we made a deliberate choice: to build a multilingual team so that every patient, regardless of their background or mother tongue, receives the same high standard of care. Our English-speaking physiotherapists are fully qualified, experienced, and ready to listen – without you needing to look up a single German word.

Whether you've just moved to Basel, are dealing with a sports injury, struggling with persistent back pain, or simply want a trusted physiotherapist for long-term care, PhysioBasel is the right address.

"Great physiotherapy starts with being truly understood. That's why we treat you in the language you're most comfortable in."

What Does a Physiotherapist in Basel Treat?

A physiotherapist assesses and treats a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and sports-related conditions. At PhysioBasel, our physiotherapists work with patients across all ages and activity levels. Here's a snapshot of what we commonly treat:

🦴 Back & Neck Pain Disc problems, sciatica, whiplash, chronic tension – diagnosed and treated at the root cause.

🏃 Sports Injuries Sprains, ligament tears, tendinopathies, shin splints, runner's knee and more.

🦷 Joint & Arthritis Pain Shoulder, knee, hip and ankle problems – conservative management and post-surgical rehab.

🧠 Neurological Conditions Post-stroke rehabilitation, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's – specialised neurological physiotherapy.

🤰 Pelvic Floor Therapy Pre- and post-natal care, incontinence, pelvic pain – expert pelvic floor physiotherapy.

💧 Lymphatic Drainage Manual lymphatic drainage for oedema, post-oncological care and post-operative swelling.

🧍 Posture & Ergonomics Workplace posture assessment, desk-worker syndromes, scoliosis management.

🏥 Post-Surgical Rehab Structured recovery programmes after orthopaedic, cardiac or abdominal surgery.

🏋️ Medical Training Therapy Equipment-based therapeutic exercise to rebuild strength, stability and endurance.

Advanced Treatments Available at PhysioBasel

Beyond hands-on physiotherapy, PhysioBasel offers a suite of technology-led and holistic treatments that many clinics in the region simply don't provide or charge an extra fee, which we don't. All available in English.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy delivers targeted acoustic pulses to chronically painful areas of the body. It is highly effective for conditions like tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis (heel spur), calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, and Achilles tendinopathy – particularly when conventional physiotherapy alone hasn't brought lasting relief. Most patients notice significant improvement within three to five sessions.

Laser Therapy

PhysioBasel uses robot-assisted laser therapy to stimulate tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation and pain at a cellular level. It is particularly useful for deep muscle injuries, chronic joint pain, and nerve-related conditions, and can be combined with manual physiotherapy for faster results.

Indiba Radiofrequency Therapy

Indiba uses controlled radiofrequency energy to heat tissue deep below the skin surface, promoting circulation, accelerating healing, and reducing muscle tension. It is a comfortable, non-invasive treatment used widely in professional sport and rehabilitation medicine.

Osteopathy

Our certified osteopaths use gentle manual techniques to identify and resolve restrictions in the body's musculoskeletal and fascial systems. Osteopathy looks at the body as a whole, rather than treating isolated symptoms – making it particularly effective for recurring or unexplained complaints. Reimbursable through Swiss supplementary health insurance (Zusatzversicherung).

IHHT – Altitude Training Without the Mountain

Interval Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Training (IHHT) alternates oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich air through a breathing mask while you rest comfortably. The effect is similar to training at altitude: your mitochondria are stimulated, cellular energy improves, and recovery from fatigue – including burnout – is accelerated. Ideal for high-performing professionals and anyone dealing with chronic exhaustion. This is the real Longevity cure for your cells.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Shiatsu

For patients who prefer a holistic or complementary approach alongside conventional physiotherapy, PhysioBasel offers TCM techniques including cupping, moxibustion, acupressure and acupuncutre as well as Shiatsu, a Japanese pressure-point massage designed to balance the body's energy flow and reduce stress.

Massage Therapy in Basel

Our therapeutic massage treatments range from classic Swedish massage and deep tissue work to sports massage and relaxation massage. Whether you need to recover from an intense training block, release long-held muscular tension, or simply decompress, our massage therapists will tailor the session to your needs – and speak to you in English throughout.

How Does Physiotherapy Work in Switzerland?

If you've recently moved to Switzerland, the healthcare system can feel unfamiliar. Here is a clear, practical guide to getting physiotherapy as an English speaker in Basel.

Step 1 – Get a referral from your GP

In Switzerland, physiotherapy is generally prescribed by a doctor (Hausarzt or specialist). Your GP will write a Verordnung (medical prescription) that specifies your diagnosis and the type of treatment recommended. A standard prescription covers nine sessions. If you need more, your doctor can renew it.

Don't have a GP yet? We can point you towards English-speaking doctors in Basel who are used to working with international patients.

Step 2 – Book your appointment at PhysioBasel

Once you have your Verordnung, simply contact us online or by phone. Bring your prescription to your first appointment – or send us a photo in advance so we can prepare. We'll do the paperwork; you focus on getting better.

Step 3 – Your first appointment

Your first session typically lasts 45 minutes. Your physiotherapist will take a full medical history, assess your movement and pain patterns, and create a personalised treatment plan. Sessions thereafter are usually 30–45 minutes. We'll be speaking English throughout, and we welcome every question.

Insurance & payment

Physiotherapy prescribed by a Swiss doctor is covered by basic Swiss health insurance (Grundversicherung / KVG), subject to your annual deductible (Franchise). Osteopathy and certain complementary treatments are reimbursable through supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung). PhysioBasel is EMR-certified. We are happy to clarify what is covered before you begin.

Home visits available. Can't make it to the clinic? PhysioBasel provides physiotherapy at home across Basel city, as well as Oberwil, Therwil, Allschwil, Bottmingen and Ettingen. Same professional quality, same English-speaking team – at your door.

Urgent appointments. For acute injuries or sudden onset pain, contact us directly – we aim to see you the same day.

Why Choose PhysioBasel as Your Physiotherapist in Basel?

There is no shortage of physiotherapy clinics in Basel.

Here is what makes PhysioBasel different for English-speaking patients:

Genuine multilingual care

We don't just manage in English – we work in it. Our physiotherapists explain diagnoses clearly, answer questions thoroughly, and make sure you leave every appointment understanding exactly what is happening in your body and why. No language barrier means better treatment decisions and faster progress.

One of the broadest treatment offerings in the region

From neurological physiotherapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation to shockwave therapy, laser, IHHT and TCM – PhysioBasel brings together an unusually wide range of therapies under one roof. If your condition calls for a combination of approaches, you won't need to travel between clinics.

Five convenient locations

Whether you live in the city centre, commute via Basel SBB station, or are based in the Leimental (Oberwil, Therwil, Allschwil), there is a PhysioBasel clinic close to you. All locations are accessible by public transport.

Open six days a week

We are open Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 21:00, and Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00. Early morning, lunchtime, and early evening slots make it easy to fit physiotherapy around a demanding work schedule.

A team you can trust

PhysioBasel's physiotherapists are fully Swiss-qualified, EMR-certified, and experienced across a wide range of conditions. We work closely with referring doctors to ensure continuity of care and the best possible outcomes for every patient we see.

Our Locations in and Around Basel

Kleinbasel

Oetlingerstrasse 2

4057 Basel

Claraplatz / Rebgasse

Rebgasse 20

4058 Basel

Basel SBB

Elisabethenanlage 11

4051 Basel

Erlenmatt

Erlenmattstrasse 7

4058 Basel

Oberwil

Mühlenmattstrasse 48

4104 Oberwil

Home Visits

Basel, Oberwil, Therwil, Allschwil, Bottmingen, Ettingen & surroundings

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to speak German to be treated at PhysioBasel?

Not at all. We have English-speaking physiotherapists at all our locations. Just let us know when booking that you'd like an English-speaking therapist and we'll arrange it.

Can I come without a doctor's referral?

For treatments covered by Swiss basic insurance (Grundversicherung), a referral (Verordnung) from a doctor is required. For private treatments such as massage, osteopathy, IHHT or shiatsu, no referral is needed. If you're unsure, contact us and we'll advise you.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

For routine appointments, we typically have availability within a few days. For urgent or acute conditions, we do our best to see you on the same day – call us directly for urgent requests.

Is physiotherapy covered by Swiss health insurance?

Yes, physiotherapy prescribed by a doctor is covered by Swiss basic health insurance (KVG), subject to your deductible. Supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung) typically covers additional treatments like osteopathy. PhysioBasel is EMR-certified.

Which areas do you cover for home visits?

We provide home visit physiotherapy across Basel city (all districts), as well as Oberwil, Therwil, Allschwil, Bottmingen, Ettingen and surrounding communities. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.

First, register with a local GP (Hausarzt) who can refer you for physiotherapy. If you need help finding an English-speaking GP in Basel, we're happy to make recommendations. Once you have your referral, book online or call us – and we'll take it from there.