Breathing problems

Breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing or wheezing have many possible causes, such as asthma, chronic lung disease (COPD), infections, heart problems or dysfunctional breathing under stress. Breathing problems should therefore be checked by a doctor. Therapies such as respiratory physiotherapy complement medical treatment.

methods: 2
therapists: 11

Therascout does not diagnose. Have new, severe or persistent complaints checked by a doctor.

Illustration for Breathing problems: woman using an inhaler

When to see a doctor straight away

If any of these comes on top of your symptoms:

Severe breathlessness at rest, you can hardly speak
Blue lips or skin
Chest pain
Sudden breathlessness with a painful, swollen leg
Your asthma reliever inhaler does not help

In an emergency: 144

What you can do yourself

Inhale correctly
Ask the pharmacy or practice to show you the technique.
Do not smoke
Stopping smoking is the most important step in lung disease.
Stay active
Regular, suitable exercise improves your fitness.

Which therapies are used for breathing problems?

Sorted by the state of research on asthma and COPD. The rating shows how well the effect is supported, not whether it will help you.

What do the dots mean?

Established: recommended in guidelines, well studied
Partly supported: effect shown in studies, with limitations
Limited evidence: few or weak studies
Hardly studied: used, but hardly or not studied

The rating covers the research, not the therapist.

EstablishedBasic ins. (referral)
Pulmonary rehabilitation
In COPD, a programme of exercise and education improves quality of life and exercise capacity.
Source 1
1 therapist
Partly supportedBasic ins. (referral)
Respiratory physiotherapy
Breathing exercises can improve quality of life and symptoms in mild to moderate asthma.
Source 2
10 therapists

Therapists may offer several methods, so they can be counted more than once.

As of October 2026 · How we rate

Therapists: Breathing problems

Corinne Fischer
Demo
Praxis Fischer
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5.0(2)
Zug
Languages: de · en · it
Pulmonary rehabilitationAlexander techniqueYoga therapy
EMREGK therapist register
Price
CHF 57–125
Luca Bernasconi
Demo
Studio Bernasconi
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4.7(3)
Lugano
Languages: it · en · tr
PhysiotherapySports massageFascia therapy
Basic insurance (KVG)
Price
CHF 66–150
Next appointment
Available Thu, 15 Oct
Julie Dubois
Demo
Cabinet Julie Dubois
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4.8(4)
Lausanne
Languages: fr · de
Online
Occupational therapyPhysiotherapyOsteopathy
Price
CHF 60–140
Next appointment
Available Fri, 16 Oct

See all 11

We show practices that list this complaint in their profile. How do we sort?

Costs and health insurance

Pulmonary rehabilitation, Respiratory physiotherapy: Basic insurance with a doctor's referral.
Your insurer: Each profile shows which insurers recognise the therapist.
Practice prices: See prices in each practice profile.

Recognitions explained →

Sources

McCarthy et al., Cochrane 2015: Pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Santino et al., Cochrane 2020: Breathing exercises for adults with asthma
NHS: Shortness of breath
Lungenliga Schweiz: Information on asthma and COPD

Content as of October 2026. We review it every year.

Language

Breathing problems