GLA:D Program
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 (Good Life with Arthritis in Denmark) is an 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 is an individualized education and exercise-based program that works to reduce your OA symptoms. Research done in Denmark has shown that participants of the GLA:D program 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 (Edmund Gu or Allison Ezzat). 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.
Our program at NSSM is led by Allison Ezzat PT, PhD and Edmund Gu. Allison’s doctoral work focused on prevention of osteoarthritis after injury and she is part of the GLA:D Canada National Implementation team.
Program Details
GLA:D sessions have a virtual (education sessions) and in person (exercise sessions) component. Theraband will be provided and no other equipment is required.
Cost
$605/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.
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.”
