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Therascout

Chronic pain in Zurich

In and around Zurich, 3 therapists treat this complaint. Pain is called chronic when it lasts longer than three months. In Europe about one in five adults is affected. By then the pain has often lost its warning function. Body, mind and daily life influence each other, so treatments usually work best in combination.

methods
4
therapists nearby
3
counts as chronic
3 mo

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

Illustration for Chronic pain: older patient in a calm talk with a doctor

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if you notice:

  • New pain or pain that has clearly changed
  • Fever, night sweats or unintended weight loss
  • Numbness, paralysis or problems passing urine or stool
  • Thoughts of no longer wanting to live

In an emergency: 144

Thoughts of suicide or in crisis? Die Dargebotene Hand: 143 (English: 0800 143 000) · Young people: 147 · Emergency: 144

What you can do yourself

  • Stay active, at your own pace

    Spread activities evenly over the day. This avoids swinging between overdoing it and resting.

  • Understand the pain

    Knowing how chronic pain develops helps to reduce fear of movement.

  • Look after sleep and contacts

    Good sleep and social contact make pain easier to live with.

Which therapies are used for chronic pain?

Sorted by the state of research on chronic pain. 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.

  • Partly supportedBasic ins. (referral)

    Exercise therapy

    Exercise programmes can improve pain and function somewhat. The effects are small to moderate and vary between studies. Harm is unlikely.

    Source 2

    No therapists near you
  • Partly supportedBasic ins. (referral)

    Psychotherapy (CBT)

    Cognitive behavioural therapy slightly reduces pain, distress and disability.

    Source 3

    2 therapists near you
  • Partly supportedBasic or suppl. ins.

    Acupuncture

    For back, neck, shoulder, head and osteoarthritis pain more effective than no acupuncture and slightly more effective than sham acupuncture.

    Source 4

    No therapists near you
  • Limited evidenceSuppl. ins.

    Mindfulness training (MBSR)

    Small improvement in pain. The quality of the studies is low.

    Source 5

    1 therapist near you

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

As of October 2026 · How we rate

Therapists in and around Zurich

  • Portrait of Martina Brunner, Psychological counselling in Zurich

    Martina Brunner

    Demo

    Praxis Brunner

    • 4.8(4)
    • Zurich · 2.7 km
    • Languages: de
    • Online
    Psychological counsellingMindfulness training (MBSR)Coaching
    ASCA
    Price
    CHF 63–145
    Next appointment
    No new patients
  • Portrait of Claudia Steiner, Psychotherapy in Zurich

    Claudia Steiner

    Demo

    Praxis Claudia Steiner

    • Zurich · 3.4 km
    • Languages: de
    PsychotherapyPsychological counselling
    Basic insurance (KVG)
    Price
    CHF 90–180
  • Portrait of Patrick Roth, Nutrition counselling in Winterthur

    Patrick Roth

    Demo

    Ernährungsberatung Roth

    • 5.0(2)
    • Winterthur · 20 km
    • Languages: de · en
    Nutrition counsellingPsychotherapy
    Basic insurance (KVG)
    Price
    CHF 60–140

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

Costs and health insurance

Exercise therapy
Basic insurance with a doctor's referral.
Psychotherapy (CBT)
Basic insurance on a doctor's referral: 15 sessions, then another 15. Beyond 30 sessions the insurer must approve.
Acupuncture
Basic insurance if a doctor with the relevant certificate treats you. Otherwise supplementary insurance, if the therapist is recognised.
Mindfulness training (MBSR)
Usually supplementary insurance, if the therapist is recognised.
Pain clinic
Multidisciplinary pain treatment at hospitals is covered by basic insurance on referral.
Your insurer
Each profile shows which insurers recognise the therapist.
Practice prices
See prices in each practice profile.
Recognitions explained →

Sources

  1. Breivik et al., Eur J Pain 2006: Survey of chronic pain in Europe
  2. Geneen et al., Cochrane 2017: Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults
  3. Williams et al., Cochrane 2020: Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain in adults
  4. Vickers et al., Arch Intern Med 2012: Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis
  5. Hilton et al., Ann Behav Med 2017: Mindfulness meditation for chronic pain: systematic review and meta-analysis

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