Growing demand: physiotherapy is on the rise in Switzerland
12 August 2025 | Comment(s) |
Tess Bardy
Physiotherapy is becoming increasingly important – not only for treating musculoskeletal disorders, but also for post-surgical recovery, fall prevention, and neurological rehabilitation. As a result, both the use and cost of physiotherapy have risen significantly over the past decade. A recent study by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), funded by Fondation Groupe Mutuel, shows that the costs per user of physiotherapy increased by 67% between 2017 and 2023. This trend is mainly driven by a growing number of users and more intensive treatment.
Key findings from the ZHAW Study
The ZHAW study, based on anonymized data from Groupe Mutuel, reveals the following:
- More physiotherapy: The share of insured persons using physiotherapy rose from 14% in 2017 to 19% in 2023. At the same time, the average number of sessions per user increased from 13 to 16. This means that not only are more people using physiotherapy, but they are also attending more sessions.
A particularly striking trend is the increase in complex sessions, which are more expensive: their share rose from 14% to 34%. Older adults are using physiotherapy more frequently – among those aged over 81, costs per person nearly doubled. - Rising costs: The average cost per insured person for physiotherapy rose from CHF 120 in 2017 to CHF 200 in 2023. Around 40% of this increase is due to the growing number of users, and another 40% to more intensive use. Of the latter, a quarter is due to more sessions per user, and a sixth to the rise in complex sessions. The aging population accounts for only 16% of the total cost increase.
- Regional differences: The highest share of physiotherapy users is found in Ticino (20%), followed by the Lake Geneva region (18%). The lowest usage rates are in Eastern (14%) and Central Switzerland (12%). The Lake Geneva region and Zurich saw a sharp rise in complex sessions – in Zurich, the share rose from 16% in 2017 to 43% in 2023.
Challenges and opportunities
Expert interviews with doctors and physiotherapists highlight several challenges and opportunities for improving the use and cost management of physiotherapy. Key recommendations include:
- Standardizing prescription practices: Clear, evidence-based guidelines can help ensure appropriate use of physiotherapy.
- Improving collaboration: Better communication and coordination between physiotherapists and doctors is essential for optimal care.
- Reducing inequalities: Policymakers should focus on eliminating regional and socio-economic disparities to ensure equal access for all patients.
- Optimizing costs: Measures to prevent inappropriate billing for complex treatments and to determine the optimal duration and frequency of therapy could help reduce costs.
These findings underscore the growing importance of physiotherapy in Switzerland and highlight steps that can be taken to make its use even more effective. Read the full results in the ZHAW study report.
