What Is the GLA:D® Program – And Can It Help Your Knee or Hip Pain?
Picture this: you bend down to tie your shoes and your knee sounds like a popcorn machine. You stand up, but your hip? Yeah, it's protesting like it's on strike. You’ve tried the creams, the pills, the “just rest it” advice. But the pain’s still there. Like a clingy ex who won’t take the hint.
Enter GLA:D® – and no, it’s not just a catchy name. It stands for Good Life with Arthritis: Denmark. And it’s a research-backed, globally used program designed to help people with hip and knee osteoarthritis move better, feel stronger, and get their lives back.
So, what is it really? And more importantly—can it help you?
Let’s Keep It Real: What Is GLA:D®?
GLA:D® is not your average “just move more” advice. It’s a structured program that combines education (aka understanding what the heck is going on with your joints) and targeted exercises to reduce pain and improve function.
Think of it like a workout with a purpose—and a plan.
It’s been developed by smart researchers in Denmark, tried and tested across the globe, and is now available at our Adamstown physiotherapy clinic. Lucky you.
Here’s What You Actually Get
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all DVD from the 90s. The GLA:D® program includes:
✅ An initial one-on-one assessment with a physiotherapist (hi, that’s us!) to see where you’re at and tailor the program to you.
✅ Two education sessions—because once you get how OA works, you can work with it, not against it.
✅ 12 small-group exercise classes over 6 weeks that focus on strengthening, stability, and real-life movement (think walking, stairs, getting in and out of chairs).
You’ll be guided by a trained physiotherapist in Adamstown who knows the GLA:D® program inside out—and actually cares about your progress.
But Will It Really Help?
Here’s the thing: GLA:D® has been shown to reduce pain and improve function in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. We’re talking about real outcomes like:
Walking easier
Less day-to-day pain
Improved strength and confidence
Delaying or even avoiding surgery
Thousands of people worldwide have seen results. It’s not a miracle—just evidence-based rehab that works with your body, not against it.
And because it’s available right here at Sport and Spine Physio Adamstown, you don’t have to travel across the world to get started.
Who’s It For?
If you’ve got hip or knee joint pain and you’re not dealing with major health issues like fibromyalgia or tumors (yep, those are excluded), you’re probably eligible.
You don’t need a referral. You don’t need to be an athlete. You don’t even need to be in severe pain.
You just need to want to feel better and move more easily.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
Let’s be blunt: OA doesn’t usually vanish on its own. Left unchecked, it can slowly chip away at the things you love—gardening, chasing after grandkids, taking that long-awaited holiday. You don’t want to sit on the sidelines.
The GLA:D® program is about giving you tools, support, and a real plan. And honestly? That beats wishful thinking and another bottle of anti-inflammatories any day.
Want In?
If you’re thinking “this sounds like what I need”—you’re probably right.
Give us a ring on 024957 3747 or pop in to our Adamstown physiotherapy clinic to have a chat. We’ll help you figure out if GLA:D® is right for you and what rebates or coverage might apply.
Spots are limited (no joke—we like to keep group sizes small so everyone gets proper attention).
You’ve got nothing to lose… except maybe that nagging knee pain.
