GLA:D Program
%
Of patients found the GLA:D™ program beneficial or very beneficial
%
Of hip participants reported an improvement in their quality of life
%
Of knee participants reported an improvement in their function
Source: GLA:D Canada 2022
Good Living with Osteoarthritis
7-week proven pain-reduction education and individualized exercise program for hip and knee osteoarthritis.
What is GLA:D and What Can It Do for You?
GLA:D™ is a group-based education and exercise program developed by researchers and physiotherapists in Denmark for people with symptoms of knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA). If you experience pain or stiffness in your hips or knees this could be the program for you! It includes education and individualized exercises that work to reduce your OA symptoms. Research in Canada has shown that after completing the GLA:D™ program, participants have reduced pain, take fewer pain killers, take less time off work, and are able to be more active! For more information check out gladcanada.ca.
GLA:D at NSSM
Our program is delivered by GLA:D-trained registered physiotherapists. This program includes a 30 minute individual assessment followed by two education sessions, and 12 group exercise classes. The exercise classes are limited to 8 participants and run twice a week for 6 weeks. If you are currently seeing a physio, this program can be done concurrently. You do not need to be diagnosed with OA to attend this program.
Education sessions [online with Allison]
(Sessions cover osteoarthritis disease pathology, self management strategies, pain management, etc.)
All participants must complete their 30 min assessment prior to starting the exercise classes
Exercise classes [in person with Ramsey, Edmund & Allison]:
All exercise sessions are in person at our Brooksbank Clinic
Program Details
GLA:D™ education sessions will be done virtually (via zoom) and exercise sessions will be in person. The exercises will be individualized to each participant and progressed over the 6 weeks. Theraband will be provided and no other equipment is required.
*Daytime and Evening classes are offered on an ongoing basis*
Call us at 604.973.0242 or email brooksbank@nssm.ca to find out when our next program is.
Cost
$615/person which includes an individual 30-minute assessment, two education sessions and 12 group exercise classes (with physiotherapy receipts for all costs incurred).
To register or ask any questions, call us at 604.973.0242 or email brooksbank@nssm.ca.
Your GLA:D™ Leaders
Click to learn more about them!
Praise from NSSM GLA:D Patients
“I don’t walk with a limp anymore and never wear a knee brace. I’m still aware that I have arthritis, but no longer regard it as some kind of life-destroying affliction. The most significant change I experienced as a result of the GLAD program was this change in ATTITUDE. I’m not sure I could estimate how much good the GLAD program because the change has been so dramatic compared to the way I felt at this time last year.”
“I walked over 3km each day for 3 days last week. This is the first time in almost two years I could do that without pain – I had some discomfort, but nothing major at all. Stairs are now much easier to climb and descend. All in all, walking and sleeping are much more comfortable and I will definitely keep up the GLA:D exercises to maintain this improvement.”
“By the end of the program I felt stronger, physically and mentally. I learned to work with my pain, not be sidelined by it. I learned to use pain as a guide to achieve better mobility. As a result, I have reduced my pain medications and increased my activity to include gardening, something I had previously found impossible. I find it easy to do the GLA:D exercises at home and am applying what I learned by being more deliberate in all my activities. Effectively, GLA:D has become a part of my life and I heartily recommend it.”