aarReha Schinznach

aarReha Schinznach is a Swiss rehabilitation provider based in Schinznach-Bad (municipality of Brugg, canton Aargau). It operates as a non-profit foundation and describes itself as a leading institution for inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation in Switzerland, focused on diseases of the musculoskeletal system, chronic pain, limitations following surgery and geriatric impairments. Its services span inpatient, semi-inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, prevention and health promotion, delivered in its own clinics as well as at patients' homes and in selected nursing homes. The organisation traces its roots to the thermal sulphur spring of Schinznach-Bad, used for bathing since the 17th century and later the basis of a charitable 'Armenbad' (poor people's bath). In 1929 this became the 'Spitalabteilung' (hospital department) of Bad Schinznach AG, and in 1965 it was transferred into an independent non-profit foundation under the name 'Rheumaklinik Bad Schinznach'. A new clinic building followed in 1972, and in 2001 a further new building opened alongside the existing clinic, at which point the institution was renamed aarReha Schinznach. It has long specialised in the needs of older patients and opened a dedicated geriatric rehabilitation department in 2013. A second inpatient site was opened at Spital Zofingen in October 2018, and an outpatient centre (Ambulatorium) at the FH Campus Brugg-Windisch began operating in 2019. Today aarReha Schinznach runs a clinic in Schinznach with 123 beds and a clinic in Zofingen with 34 beds, plus a physiotherapy centre in Windisch, employing around 410 staff across medicine, nursing, therapy, catering, housekeeping and administration. It holds service mandates (Leistungsaufträge) from the cantons of Aargau, Luzern, Solothurn, Zürich and Bern. The organisation emphasises close cooperation between physicians, therapists, nursing staff and service departments, combined with tailored treatments, and reports high patient satisfaction among both inpatient and outpatient patients. It is led by a CEO and a management board, and governed by a foundation council (Stiftungsrat).

The origins of aarReha Schinznach lie in the thermal sulphur spring of Schinznach-Bad. A warm sulphur spring was discovered there in the mid-17th century and used for bathing; after a major flood buried it, it was rediscovered and captured at the end of the 17th century. In 1696 Samuel Jenner acquired the right to use the spring, with the Bernese government attaching the condition that the sulphur thermal water be made available free of charge to poor patients. From 1700 Bern sent its sick to Schinznach for cures rather than to Baden. In the first half of the 18th century Abraham Morell expanded the facility and in 1738 built a poor people's bath (Armenbad), fulfilling the terms of the concession. More poor guests followed to benefit from the healing spring at affordable prices. In 1787 the Armenbad was extended with the 'Bernerhaus', and shortly afterwards an 'Armenfonds' (poor fund) was established. In 1827 the oldest bathing building, the Bernerhaus, was converted for the 'Badarmen' (poor bathers) with patient rooms. A voluntary commission formed to support poor patients, and in the second half of the 19th century Bad Schinznach experienced a major upswing. Donations from numerous guests and supporters enabled extensive modernisation in 1872, and the spa doctors also cared for the poor bathers. At the beginning of the 20th century people no longer wanted to go to a 'poor people's bath', so in 1929 it became the Spitalabteilung (hospital department) of Bad Schinznach AG, with Viktor Heinemann engaged as physician. After the Second World War there was great catch-up demand, but the properties were outdated. Because the operation was loss-making and the state did not want to support a profit-oriented enterprise, in 1965 the operation was transferred into an independent foundation with a charitable purpose. To fulfil the foundation's purpose, the necessary site including bed and therapy buildings was made available to the foundation. Bad Schinznach AG as founder also undertook to provide the foundation with the sulphur spring water required to operate the rheumatism and rehabilitation clinic free of charge. The canton of Aargau invested in a new building that was taken into operation in 1972, greatly expanding the clinic's capacity and adapting it to modern needs. In 1989 the Grand Council approved 2.5 million Swiss francs to acquire the old Habsburgbad and an annex from Bad Schinznach AG, thereby creating the conditions to fully separate the clinic's operation from that of Bad Schinznach AG and develop it further. In 2001 a new building next to the existing clinic was taken into operation, and at the same time the former Rheuma- und Rehabilitationsklinik became aarReha Schinznach. The institution had early on specialised in the particular needs of older patients and in 2013, as one of the first rehabilitation clinics in Switzerland, opened a new department for geriatric rehabilitation. In October 2018 a second inpatient site was opened at Spital Zofingen, and in 2019 the outpatient centre (Ambulatorium) at the FH Campus Brugg-Windisch began operating. Today aarReha Schinznach is a leading institution for inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, holds service mandates from the cantons of Aargau, Luzern, Solothurn, Zürich and Bern, and employs around 410 staff at three locations in Aargau: a clinic in Schinznach with 123 beds, a clinic in Zofingen with 34 beds, and a physiotherapy centre in Windisch.

• 2019

  Outpatient centre (Ambulatorium) at FH Campus Brugg-Windisch begins operating.

• 2018

  Second inpatient site opened at Spital Zofingen in October.

• 2013

  One of the first Swiss rehabilitation clinics to open a department for geriatric rehabilitation.

• 2001

  New building next to the existing clinic taken into operation; institution renamed aarReha Schinznach.

• 1989

  Grand Council approves 2.5 million francs to acquire the old Habsburgbad and an annex from Bad Schinznach AG.

• 1972

  New clinic building taken into operation, greatly expanding capacity.

• 1965

  Operation transferred into an independent non-profit foundation under the name 'Rheumaklinik Bad Schinznach'.

• 1929

  The Armenbad becomes the Spitalabteilung (hospital department) of Bad Schinznach AG; Viktor Heinemann engaged as physician.

• 1872

  Extensive modernisation works realised through donations.

• 1827

  The Bernerhaus is converted with patient rooms for the 'Badarmen'.

• 1787

  The Armenbad is extended with the 'Bernerhaus'; an 'Armenfonds' is established.

• 1738

  Abraham Morell builds the Armenbad (poor people's bath).

• 1696

  Samuel Jenner acquires the right to use the Schinznach sulphur spring, with the condition to provide it free to poor patients.

Leading Swiss rehabilitation institution for inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, combining medical expertise, professional care and a family atmosphere with thermal-spring heritage.

• Inpatient rehabilitation

• Outpatient rehabilitation

• Semi-inpatient rehabilitation

• Geriatric rehabilitation

• Musculoskeletal rehabilitation

• Chronic pain rehabilitation

• Post-operative rehabilitation

• Prevention and health promotion

• Physiotherapy

1. 1Führende Institution für Rehabilitation | aarReha Schinznachaarreha.ch
2. 2Über das Unternehmen | aarReha Schinznachaarreha.ch
3. 3Rückblick Round Table 2026 | aarReha Schinznachaarreha.ch
4. 4Die Gremien der aarReha | aarReha Schinznachaarreha.ch
5. 5AarRehawikidata.org
6. 6AarRehade.wikipedia.org