Amine Madi
Physiotherapist at Life Ready Physio + Pilates Floreat
We have been running this fantastic program since 2021 and have seen outstanding results and benefits for participants. Many report increased day-to-day function, reduction of pain symptoms, and motivation to continue with exercise after the conclusion of the program.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects many joints, but particularly the hips and knees. It is the most common form of arthritis, and can cause pain, stiffness, and restrictions in movement.
What is the GLA:D® Program and how does it work?
The GLA:D® Program (“Good Life with osteoArthritis: Demark), is a six-week evidence-based initiative designed to help individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Developed in Denmark, the program focuses on education and supervised exercise, teaching participants how to strengthen their joints, reduce pain, and increase mobility.
Led by our GLA:D® Australia trained physiotherapists, it includes:
- Two education sessions to teach you about osteoarthritis, its risk factors, treatment options and self management strategies
- 12 group exercise classes delivered over six weeks
- Registration with the GLA:D® Program for data collection to continue research on osteoarthritis
How Life Ready can help
Our clinics in Perth and Melbourne offer the GLA:D® Program throughout the year, running two blocks at a time. Each session is directly supervised by one of our experienced physiotherapists and delivered in a group setting in our spacious gyms.
One of the best parts of the GLA:D® Program is the group setting, which fosters a supportive community of people with similar knee or hip symptoms. Participants encourage each other, building camaraderie that often continues beyond the program, with some meeting up afterward to stay social and keep each other motivated!
It is rewarding to see individuals progress from being timid or afraid of exercise because of their osteoarthritis symptoms and move towards having the knowledge and confidence in dealing with their symptoms through exercise.
At the end of six weeks, I can see a marked difference and that is exciting, and I am happy that individuals can then continue to work their own.
What are the results after completing the program?
Exercise is a proven method for self-managing osteoarthritis, and research from the GLA:D® Program in Australia reports:
- An average pain reduction of 36%
- Reduced reliance on pain medication
- Less desire for surgery after completing the program
- Improvements in joint mobility and control
- Motivation to continue with the program at home
How do I get started
Simply book in for an initial assessment to ensure GLA:D® is the best fit for you. It’s a chance to meet and discuss your pain with your physiotherapist, allowing us to tailor the program to your individual needs. To do this, simply phone your local Life Ready team or book online. You can find their details on our website here.
Reference:
1GLA:D AU (2024). Research and evidence behind GLA:D® [Website]. https://gladaustralia.com.au/key-evidence-surrounding-glad/
