GLA:D® has been shown to help people with mild, moderate and severe osteoarthritis, and people over the age of 40 who have symptoms of osteoarthritis.  The factors that improve include pain, mobility and quality of life. 

GLA:D®, Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark, is an accredited physiotherapist-supervised education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms. Research from the GLA:D® program in Australia shows an average pain reduction of 36%, reduced analgesic consumption, reduction in perceived need for surgery, and clinically meaningful improvement in joint confidence. Education and exercises provided can be applied to everyday activities, ensuring participants develop skills to self-manage their osteoarthritis. By strengthening and improving confidence with exercise, participants develop better capacity to become or stay active, prevent symptom progression and reduce pain.

GLA:D® is a program of exercise and education designed to help reduce the symptoms of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis.  There are 12 supervised exercise sessions over 6 weeks, and 2 educations sessions. 

There are sets of exercises done by each person; everyone does the same exercises but in different ways.  The physiotherapists who run GLA:D® programs have been trained to customise the program to suit the individual – YOU. As well as providing treatment for osteoarthritis, GLA:D® Australia collects research data from GLA:D® participants.  We ask you to complete questionnaires before you start, at 3 months and again at 12 months, with information about your health and your experiences with osteoarthritis.  This information will help to work towards improving access to best possible care for people with osteoarthritis.