GLA:D® Exercise Program
For Osteoarthritis of the Hip & Knee
Formotion Physio is a certified GLA:D® provider in Osborne Park. The GLA:D is a world leading evidence-based exercise and education program for osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.
We offer GLA:D® as it has been shown to help people of all ages with mild, moderate and severe osteoarthritis by reducing pain, increasing mobility, enhancing quality of life and in some cases avoiding surgery.
~ This is a new service! More classes coming soon as we grow.
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GLA:D® Australia is a not-for-profit initiative led by La Trobe University
GLA:D®, from ‘Good Life with osteoarthritis in Denmark’, is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms. It was brought to Australia in 2016 to help Australians with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
This education and exercise program reflects the latest evidence in osteoarthritis (OA) research. It also includes feedback from people with OA and trainers on what works in the real world to help patients manage OA symptoms.
GLA:D® has been shown to help people of all ages with mild, moderate and severe osteoarthritis by reducing pain, increasing mobility and enhancing quality of life. Often surgery such as joint replacement can be avoided.
Studies in Scandinavian countries have also shown that people who have completed the GLA:D® program before having a total knee joint replacement tend to recover more quickly. Similar ‘prehab’ results have been found for total hip replacement.
More details of the structure of the program can be found here https://gladaustralia.com.au/glad-program-structure/. -
The GLA:D® Australia program consists of:
An initial appointment to explain the program and measure your current functional ability.
Two education sessions which teach you about OA, its risk factors, treatment options, and self-management strategies.
Group exercise sessions twice a week for six weeks to improve your control of the joint, your confidence in the joint and your strength.
A review at 3-months with your clinician to discuss progress and goals, and remeasure your functional ability.
Completion of a questionnaire on registration with the program, and then again at 3 and 12 months after registration to measure changes in areas suchas pain, function, quality of life, and medication use.
How to get started.
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At Formotion we start with a 45min one-on-one consultation which involves an assessment and measurement of your current ability and explanation of the program.
You can book online or get in contact if you are unsure.
Pick the new or past client initial Assessment with Jason in Osborne Park.
BOOK APPOINTMENT -
If you are not confident with the movements, or do not have much experience with exercise we may recommend a one-to-one follow up before beginning classes.
This will be discussed at the end of your initial assessment and decided on together. -
GLA:D classes need to be attended twice a week for 6 weeks, we allow one make up class if you can’t attend one of these, so ideally you’ll need to be available for the full 6 week program.
During this time you will also need to attend two education sessions.
Once you’ve completed your initial assessment and optional follow up you will be booked in for your 6 week series of classes and education series.
~Timetable TBC ~
Our class times may change as this service grows and we begin to work out times that suit the majority of the group. -
Our initial GLA:D program is sold as a package and includes:
- Your initial 45min session
- 12 x classes (for 6 weeks)
- 2 x education sessions
- Final 3 month follow up
Total Cost = $800
If you do the optional second 1:1 follow up this can be paid for separately.
Once you have completed your initial 6 week program you will be sent a receipt to claim on private health if applicable.
You may also be able to claim your initial consultation through a GP medicare plan if you have one.
You can then choose to continue coming to the GLA:D classes on a more casual basis, or choose to do any of our other classes on offer at Formotion.
Your Formotion GLA:D Practitioner
Our GLA:D program is led and fully supervised by Jason. An experienced Physiotherapist and certified GLA:D clinician.
He will be there to make sure you are safe and progressing well throughout the program.
Jason Ciccotosto
Physiotherapist | B.Sc Physiotherapy
FAQ
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GLA:D® Australia is a program for all individuals who experience any hip and/or knee pain or symptoms of OA, regardless of severity.
You may participate in the GLA:D® Australia program if you have a hip or knee joint problem that resulted in visiting a health care provider
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No referral is required to book into GLA:D, and you do not need Osteoarthritis to start.
See '“Who is GLA:D for”You can complete the program privately or if you have a GP Medicare Care Plan (GPCCMP) you may be able to claim your initial assessment back.
Thereafter classes can be paid and claimed for privately. -
For the initial program you must complete all 12 exercise sessions and 2 education sessions in, ideally the 6 week period.
We allow one week to make up any missed classes. -
Whenever you do new exercise, it’s normal and acceptable to have very mild pain during and after the session for up to 24 hours – and maybe a bit longer at first.
Your clinician will help you learn how to monitor your pain so that you can challenge yourself without making your pain worse in the long run.
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The GLA:D® education sessions are an opportunity for the clinician to tell you about the latest research evidence and for you to ask questions and discuss it with the clinician and other participants.
The GLA:D® exercises are a set of 10 exercises, plus warm-up and cool-down, aimed at improving the strength and function around your hips and knees.
Sessions are run in small groups of around four to six people.
In each session, the same exercises are done by each person at the level appropriate for them.
The clinicians who run GLA:D® programs have been trained to customise the program to suit the individual: YOU.
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Your clinician will make an appointment to review your goals and progress 3 months after you are registered. This usually gives enough time for you to complete the program and start exploring what to do next. You may decide to work towards getting into a gym-based program, or heading back to running, or simply finding ways to increase your level of physical activity throughout the week.
The exercises and strategies you learn in GLA:D® are also easily able to be continued by you at home.
Most importantly, they are a tool for you to use whenever you feel you need to – for example, if something happens to reduce your level of activity, or if your pain increases.
Some people will go back to doing their GLA:D® program after recovering from surgery.
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You may need to explore other options than the GLA:D® Australia program if:
You have other reasons for your hip and/or knee pain, including; tumor, inflammatory joint disease, results of fracture, soft tissue or connective tissue problems.
You have other symptoms that are more pronounced than the osteoarthritis problems (for example chronic generalized pain or fibromyalgia)
You are unable to understand and communicate in English
However, there may be parts of the program that will still be helpful for you. Your clinician will discuss your best treatment options with you as part of the assessment process.
