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GLA:D® Hip and Knee Program
Avenue Physio – Trusted in downtown Calgary since 1984
Hip and knee pain can limit movement, confidence, and quality of life. Many people stop exercising because they worry they will make things worse.
At Avenue Physio, we have helped hundreds of Calgarians with hip and knee osteoarthritis regain strength, reduce pain, and return to the activities they enjoy. The GLA:D® Hip and Knee Program is a research-based approach proven to reduce symptoms, improve function, and delay or even prevent joint replacement surgery.
What Is the GLA:D® Program
GLA:D® stands for Good Life with OsteoArthritis in Denmark. It is an internationally recognized, evidence-based education and exercise program for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis or persistent joint pain.
This is a seven-week program led by certified physiotherapists that combines education and supervised exercise to help you move safely, strengthen effectively, and manage symptoms with confidence.
How the GLA:D® Program Works
The GLA:D® program combines education and supervised exercise to help reduce pain, improve strength, and restore confidence in movement.
Program Structure
- Education (2 Sessions) You’ll attend two education sessions designed to help you:
- Understand osteoarthritis and how it affects your joints
- Learn how pain works
- Discover why exercise is one of the most effective treatments for OA
- Build strategies to confidently manage symptoms long term
- Supervised Exercise (12 Sessions Over 6 Weeks) You’ll participate in twice-weekly, physiotherapist-led group sessions at Avenue Physio focused on:
- Joint control and stability
- Progressive strength development
- Functional movement training
- Improving confidence in daily activities
- Reassessment & Long-Term Plan At the end of the program, we complete a reassessment to review your progress and help you establish a sustainable long-term activity plan.
Who Can Benefit
This program is ideal for people who have:
- Hip or knee osteoarthritis
- Stiffness or pain with walking, stairs, or squatting
- Reduced strength or mobility
- A desire to stay active and delay joint surgery
Whether symptoms are mild or advanced, the GLA:D® Program helps you take control of your movement, improve strength, and move with less pain.
GLA:D® Hip and Knee
If hip or knee pain is holding you back, the GLA:D® Program can help you regain strength and confidence in your movement.
Covered by Extended Health Benefits
At Avenue Physio, we bring advanced clinical training, decades of experience, and a deep understanding of osteoarthritis management to every patient.
Our Additional Expertise
Avenue Physio’s GLA:D® Back team includes physiotherapists who have completed official GLA:D® Canada certification and advanced training in pain science, movement analysis, and exercise prescription.
Our physiotherapists are certified in the GLA:D® Canada Program and have additional post-graduate education in manual therapy, exercise prescription, and chronic pain management.
We take time to assess your unique needs, explain your condition clearly, and guide you through every stage of recovery. Each session is one on one, evidence based, and focused on real results so you can regain strength, confidence, and control of movement.
Our core values of empathy, accountability, and exceeding expectations guide how we care for every patient.
Stories of Movement and Change
Real experiences from patients who have found relief, improved movement, and lasting confidence through hands-on physiotherapy at Avenue Physio.
560 plus five-star Google Reviews.
FAQ
Questions
GLA:D® Hip and Knee
What does GLA:D® stand for?
GLA:D® stands for Good Life with OsteoArthritis in Denmark. It began as a research initiative at the University of Southern Denmark and is now an international best practice model for managing hip and knee osteoarthritis.
What makes the GLA:D® Program special?
Unlike general exercise classes, GLA:D® is designed specifically for people with osteoarthritis. It combines education and physiotherapist-led exercise in a structured, supportive format proven to reduce pain and improve function.
Is the GLA:D® Program covered by extended benefits?
Yes. Because the program is delivered by a registered physiotherapist, it is eligible under extended health plans. A doctor’s referral is not required.
Has GLA:D® been tested?
Yes. Research from both GLA:D® Denmark and GLA:D® Canada shows significant improvements in pain, strength, and mobility. Most people report lasting benefits and improved quality of life after completing the program.
How to Register
To join the next seven week program, contact our front desk to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited to ensure a supportive, small group experience.
Build strength, improve confidence, and move more comfortably with the GLA:D® Hip and Knee Program at Avenue Physio.
Downtown Calgary | 100% One-on-One Care | Trusted since 1984
