GLA:D PROGRAM FAQs

Frequently-asked questions

A great place to start for most questions is our GLA:D page, which outlines:

  • the structure of the GLA:D program
  • who the GLA:D program is for
  • why the program is the best first option for osteoarthritis (rather than medication or surgery)
  • what you stand to gain by the end of 6 weeks
  • why we believe doing the GLA:D program at Adelaide West Physio is a great decision

Click this link for all of your questions about the cost of the GLA:D program and payment options.

GLA:D is an acronym for ‘Good Life with (Osteo)Arthritis in Denmark’ – its country of origin.

If you have extras cover, you should be able to claim these sessions. The best way to check is to quote the item numbers to your insurer and they can confirm whether they will.

The initial consultation – 500; any subsequent sessions including the 6 week review session – 505; the groups – 560.

The researchers of the GLA:D programme have found that two sessions per week over 6 week period is the best for seeing the best results.

It might be best to start after you return, otherwise you will be missing sessions – you will be paying for sessions that you won’t be attending, and not getting the results that you would otherwise be expecting.

If you are sick or miss a session for any other reason, you can reschedule that session within the same week if there is an available spot in a GLA:D group.

You may be able to squeeze in three sessions the following week but that only be if your physio felt that it would be suitable for you.

If you are unable to reschedule your missed session, you should try your best to complete your exercises at home using the equipment & program we have given you.

Although the dedicated GLA:D programme is run through the day, we do have GLA:D instructors running Physio Group Treatment after hours, which means we can accomodate after hours too. It still needs to be 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks.

Absolutely! Even though our aim is to prevent the need or delay the need for joint replacements, the GLA:D programme is also the ideal pre-operative programme for joint replacement too. It will allow you to be as strong and able as possible going into surgery, so that your recovery is quicker and more complete after surgery.

This can be for a number of reasons. It may be due to an inability to commit to the number of sessions, or for a health reason. Whatever the case, your physio will come up with an alternative plan to make sure that you get the best outcome possible within your constraints.

You can use the EPC from your GP towards the initial consultation and the followup consultation, but it cannot be used towards group sessions.

You would need to have a referral from your GP as per the

Under the GLA:D policies, it can only be run by qualified physios who have done the GLA:D training. This is why you can claim these sessions under your Private Health Insurance.

We hold a maximum of 6 people in the group, though this has been reduced to 5 in the light of the current COVID-19 situation to allow even more room in the gym.

It is best to check that with Jacqui or Brooke at the front desk, but they are scheduled for the late morning on Monday and Thursday currently. The sessions are an hour long.

If you are accepted into the programme after the initial consultation, the cost is an all-inclusive package which includes all groups, education sessions and a review consultation at the end of the programme.

The price is heavily discounted compared to charging for each session individually.

We provide options for payment apart from upfront payment, including fortnightly or weekly installments.

We want to make sure that cost isn’t preventing anyone from doing the program.

Click here to see more information about the costs and the different payment options.

Yes. Even though the sessions are heavily discounted as a package, we understand that paying the whole amount up front isn’t possible for some people, but we don’t want to exclude people that really need the help.

Apart from a one-off up front amount, we can also accept weekly payments using direct debit that is administered internally. It means that we can be agile with any changes that need to be made.

Speak with Jacqui or Brooke for more information about these options.

The exercises are adjusted to your individual capabilities, however your joint pain is affecting you or whatever your current strength happens to be.

There is some core information that is required to be delivered in the GLA:D programme, but we spice it up a bit with some new research and keep it as interactive as it can be.

The information is to help you understand your osteoarthritis a bit differently in line with the current research. It will help you to understand that it isn’t just wear and tear, that you shouldn’t necessarily rely on your pain as your guide about how much to do, and that using your joint and strengthening your muscles have very real positive effects on osteoarthritis.

The education sessions will set you up for the exercise that you do during the programme so that you understand why you are doing what you are doing.

As we have limited numbers at any one time, it just depends on when a vacancy comes up in the programme. If you are interested in the GLA:D programme, if you speak with our front desk team, we may be able to hold a spot for you in an upcoming intake.

In the meantime, it might help to speak with a physio if you have any queries about the programme.

If you have any questions that aren’t covered by this list of FAQs, please call us on 8356 1000. It is much quicker sometimes to just call and get your question answered!