Physical therapy courses in Switzerland

As a physiotherapist, you always keep moving — literally and figuratively. Physiotherapy is a field that is constantly evolving with new insights, treatment techniques and scientific discoveries. Even when you work in Switzerland, it is essential to keep your knowledge up to date and continue your professional development.

Professional development in Switzerland

In Switzerland, further training for healthcare professionals is taken very seriously. The Swiss health system is known for its high quality standards, and health insurers expect physical therapists to update their knowledge regularly. This is not only important for your registration, but also for continuing to be treated at the highest level.
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There are various ways to further develop yourself as a physiotherapist in Switzerland:
- Local courses and workshops - Taught by Swiss institutions such as PhysioSwiss (the Swiss Physical Therapy Association), Bildungszentrum Gesundheit Basel Stadt and takeoff itself.
- International Conferences - Like the annual “PhysioSwiss Kongress” and the Swiss Medical & Sport Congress
- Online learning platforms - Like Trustmed-ed, which makes flexible learning possible where and when it suits you

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Popular courses for Swiss physical therapists

The demand for specific knowledge varies by region and practice in Switzerland. Some popular specializations and courses include the following.

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Manual therapy course according to the Maitland concept

In the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, this approach is particularly appreciated. These courses teach you specific joint techniques and accurate movement analysis for treating neuromusculoskeletal disorders.

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Sports physiotherapy course

Given the Swiss outdoor culture and popularity of winter sports, this specialization is very relevant. You will learn both prevention and rehabilitation of sports injuries and techniques for improving performance among athletes.

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Geriatric Physical Therapy Course

With an aging population, the demand for specialized care for the elderly is increasing. These courses focus on fall prevention, mobility improvement and maintaining independence among elderly patients.

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Rehabilitation course after orthopedic surgeries

The Swiss healthcare system is renowned for its high-quality orthopaedic surgery. These courses provide specific rehabilitation protocols for knee and hip replacements, shoulder surgery, and spine surgery.

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Pain Management and Chronic Pain Course

The treatment of chronic pain requires a multi-dimensional approach. In these courses, you will learn to combine neurobiological principles with cognitive
behavioral approaches and movement therapy.

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Fascia Techniques and Myofascial Therapy Course

Interest in fascial treatments has increased significantly in recent years. These courses offer new perspectives on movement dysfunctions and pain symptoms by focusing on the role of connective tissue.

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Language and recognition of physio courses

An important aspect of professional development in Switzerland is the language. Depending on where you work, it may be useful to take courses in German, French, or Italian. This not only helps to improve your medical language, but also ensures that you can communicate better with patients and colleagues.
When it comes to the recognition of courses, it is smart to check:
- Whether the course is recognized by Swiss professional associations
- Whether the course provides points for your Dutch KNGF registration (if relevant)
- Whether the course meets the requirements of the Swiss health insurers

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Online courses for physios in Switzerland

For physiotherapists who work in Switzerland, online learning platforms can be a solution. Our favorite TrustMe-ED offers over 120 high-quality, evidence-based courses available in all major languages. We are very fans of this platform, partly because of:
- High quality - All courses have been developed and presented by renowned physical therapy experts such as Jill Cook (known for her work on tendinopathy) and Peter O'Sullivan (back pain specialist)
- Evidence-based and up to date - At least two new courses are added each month, keeping you up to date with the latest insights
- Multi-language support - All courses have subtitles, including in German. Perfect for not only gaining new knowledge, but also improving your medical language in German
- KNGF accredited - Many courses are recognized by the KNGF, so you can also earn points for your registration while learning

Flexible subscriptions
- Monthly subscription: €11.99, can be canceled monthly
- Annual subscription: €119, -, can be canceled annually

Flexible access from various devices makes it possible to learn where and when it suits you - perfect for a busy physical therapist who wants to keep developing alongside work.

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Network and keep growing

In addition to formal courses, professional meetings offer an excellent opportunity to network with Swiss colleagues. As part of the takeoff community you also benefit from our extensive network of Dutch physiotherapists in Switzerland. We regularly organize sessions where you can exchange knowledge and help each other with new skills and insights. Keeping up with your professional development in Switzerland not only deepens your expertise, but also opens up new career opportunities. Whether you choose local courses, international conferences, or online learning platforms — growth is at the heart of your new career as a physical therapist.

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Physio courses organized by takeoff

An exciting development is that takeoff will now also organize its own courses in Switzerland! These courses combine professional development with the unique experience of living and working in the Swiss environment. On our events page, you can find more information about the courses and events we offer, such as a 3-day training & Breathing in practice; in collaboration with The Health Fundament. This course combines professional knowledge with a mountain tour on Mount Pilatus, and perfectly illustrates our vision of learning in Switzerland — a combination of professional growth and experiencing the breathtaking Swiss nature. For more information about this, visit The Health Fundament course page.

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Exclusive discount for takeoff physical therapists

Because your professional development is important to us, we offer an exclusive discount. Use the code TAKEOFF20 and get 20% discount to an annual subscription to Trustmed-ed. Are you considering moving to Switzerland as a physical therapist? At takeoff, we help you with the entire process, from finding the perfect job to arranging your move. Find out how it works here and start your new career in Switzerland!