GLA:D® Program
GLA:D® Program for Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis
Program Structure
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Initial Consultation
$99 - Private Health and Medicare Rebates May Be Claimed
Explaining the program and assessment/collecting baseline measurements/data on your current functional ability
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Two Free Education Sessions
Aimed at helping patients gain a better understanding of osteoarthritis, pain, benefits of GLA:D, evidence-based recommendations for the management of Osteoarthritis and more. The educations sessions are also a good opportunity for patients to discuss their individual experiences with osteoarthritis
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Twelve Small Group Exercise Sessions - Maximum 4 People
$44 - Private Health Rebates May Be Claimed
Completed twice weekly, over a six-week period and supervised by a certified and trained GLA:D physiotherapist
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A Three Month Follow Up Consultation
$79 - Private Health and Medicare Rebates May Be Claimed
To reassess functional ability, goals and discuss plan for long term management
What is GLA:D?
GLA:D®, or Good Life with Arthritis: Denmark, is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms. Patients suffering from hip and or knee pain or symptoms of OA, regardless of severity, can participate in the GLA:D® Australia program.
The GLA:D® program is unique in that the education and exercises provided can be applied to everyday activities, ensuring participants develop skills to self-manage their osteoarthritis. By strengthening and improving confidence with exercise, participants develop better capacity to become or stay active, prevent symptom progression, and reduce pain.
How Effective Is It?
Research from the GLA:D® program in Australia (GLA:D® Australia Annual Report 2020) found:
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an average reduction in pain of 27% (hip) and 33% (knee)
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improved quality of life by 20% (hip) and 29% (knee)
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Reduced usage of pain medication by 45% (hip) and 49% (knee)
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High levels of satisfaction with the program
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Increased levels of physical activity 12 months afterLess people desired surgery after completing the program
The GLA:D program itself only goes for 6 weeks, but the impact of GLA:D is long term. GLA:D helps you to feel more confident about moving and loading your joints, therefore making exercise and movement a lifelong habit. The knowledge that you gain from the GLA:D program can be applied to your everyday life, ensuring you develop the skills to self manage your osteoarthritis. By strengthening and improving your confidence to move, you will also develop your capacity to becoming or stay active, prevent the progression of symptoms and reduce pain
What Is Involved?
The GLA:D® program is delivered over a 6-week period and consists of strength-based exercises to optimise movement and manage symptoms. The exercises also have a focus on body awareness and movement patterns, which help to improve proprioception, balance and confidence to move. Through these exercises participants not only build strength and confidence, but also develop their ability to remain active and reduce symptom progression. Research has also shown a significant reduction in pain and an increase in quality of life following the GLA:D program.
Do I Qualify?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you are definitely suitable for GLA:D:
1. Do you have hip and or knee pain?
2. Do you have hip and or knee joint stiffness?
3. Have you already been given a diagnosis of hip and or knee Osteoarthritis?
How Do I Sign Up?
We have a number of intakes for GLA:D throughout the year and we limit each intake to 4 people maximum. This is to ensure that you receive individualised care and support and to ensure you achieve the best outcome possible. For this reason, spots fill fast! To book your initial assessment, phone 8186 1963 and mention you are interested in starting the GLA:D program.
