A combined early intervention of education, exercise and

weight control is recommended both nationally and

internationally as first line treatment for the management

of hip and knee Osteoarthritis*. 

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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.

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 Research from the GLA:D® program in Denmark shows symptom progression reduces by 32%.

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 Other outcomes include less pain, reduced use of joint related pain killers, and less people on sick leave. GLA:D® participants also reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and increased levels of physical activity 12 months after starting the program.

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By strengthening and correcting daily movement patterns, participants will train their bodies to move properly, prevent symptom progression and reduce pain.

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What does GLA:D involve?

This education and exercise program reflects the latest evidence in Osteoarthritis

research. It also includes feedback from people with Osteoarthritis with

recommendations for managing OA symptoms in daily life.

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6 week program (2 sessions per week) of Group Neuromuscular Exercise Sessions.

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Initial Assessment

The initial assessment for the GLA:D program involves an individual consultation with the Exercise Physiologist to explain the program, obtain a full medical history and undertake an assessment of your current functional ability.

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Education Sessions

Research shows that patient education is imperative in the management of Osteoarthritis which is why the Exercise Physiologist will take two sessions to educate you regarding Osteoarthritis, how the exercises improve joint stability and how to retain this improved joint stability outside of the program.

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Exercise Sessions

The GLA:D 6 week exercise program is centred around neuromuscular retraining. Neuromuscular retraining aims to improve the ability to generate an optimal muscle firing pattern, to increase dynamic joint stability and to re-learn movement patterns and skills necessary during activities of daily living. Research shows that this will lead to a reduction in symptoms and improved quality of life.

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*Skou, S. T., & Roos, E. M. (2017). Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA: D™): evidence-based education and supervised neuromuscular exercise delivered by certified physiotherapists nationwide. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 18(1), 72.

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