Move Better. Reduce Pain. Stay Active.
At Sync Move Rehab Centre, we proudly offer the GLA:D® Canada Program, an internationally recognized, evidence-based program designed to help people living with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) reduce pain, improve mobility, and regain confidence in daily activities.
Developed in Denmark and now delivered across Canada by certified healthcare professionals, the GLA:D® program combines education and supervised exercise to help you manage osteoarthritis without relying solely on medication or surgery.
What is the GLA:D® Program?
GLA:D® stands for Good Life with OsteoArthritis in Denmark. It is an evidence-based treatment program that teaches you how to safely exercise, strengthen your joints, and better understand osteoarthritis.
Rather than telling you to “rest,” the program helps you stay active through scientifically designed exercises that improve joint function and reduce pain over time.
GLA:D™ CANADA IS MADE UP OF 3 PARTS:
2-3 education sessions:
2 or 3 90-minute education sessions will teach GLA:D™ Canada participants about:
- What is osteoarthritis, risk factors and symptoms?
- Current available treatment for osteoarthritis • How to self-manage your symptoms.
- Why and how exercise can help with your osteoarthritis.
- How to cope with the difficulties of daily activities associated with osteoarthritis.
12 Neuromuscular Exercise Sessions
60 minute group exercise sessions twice a week for 6 weeks led by a certified therapist. You will:
- Learn how to control your movements and maintain proper posture.
- Build muscular strength through functional exercises.
- Learn how to apply these exercises to everyday activities
Data Collection for Quality Monitoring
The program measures how you’re doing at your first visit, 3 and 12 months after you have started the program. This information will help us monitor how the program is working for people with osteoarthritis all over Canada and ultimately will help us improve the program.
Who Can Benefit?
The GLA:D® Canada Program is ideal for individuals who experience:
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Joint pain during walking or climbing stairs
- Morning stiffness
- Difficulty standing from a chair
- Reduced balance or mobility
- Early to advanced osteoarthritis
- Individuals preparing for or hoping to delay joint replacement surgery
A doctor’s referral or X-ray is often not required to begin the program.
What Does the Program Include?
Your GLA:D® journey begins with a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment to determine whether the program is right for you.
The program typically includes:
- Comprehensive initial assessment
- Education sessions about osteoarthritis and self-management
- Supervised neuromuscular exercise sessions
- Progressive strengthening exercises
- Balance and movement training
- Functional exercises for everyday activities
- Ongoing progress monitoring
Each exercise is individually modified to match your abilities, fitness level, and symptoms.
Benefits of the GLA:D® Program
Research has shown that many participants experience:
- Less knee and hip pain
- Improved strength and joint stability
- Better walking ability
- Increased confidence with movement
- Improved balance
- Better quality of life
- Greater independence in daily activities
- Reduced reliance on pain medication
Many participants also report improvements in climbing stairs, getting in and out of a chair, and participating in recreational activities.
Why Choose Sync Move Rehab Centre?
At Sync Move Rehab Centre, our experienced physiotherapists provide individualized care in a supportive environment. We focus on helping you achieve long-term improvements—not just temporary pain relief.
Our approach includes:
- Certified physiotherapy care
- Personalized exercise progression
- Small, supportive sessions
- Evidence-based treatment
- Education to help you manage symptoms independently
- Convenient location serving Thornhill, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and North York
Whether your goal is to walk farther, return to recreational activities, or postpone joint replacement surgery, we’ll help you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many extended health insurance plans cover physiotherapy services associated with the GLA:D® Program. Coverage depends on your individual policy.
In most cases, no referral is required to participate.
Yes. The program is designed for individuals with mild, moderate, and severe hip or knee osteoarthritis. Your physiotherapist will determine whether it is appropriate during your assessment.
The standard GLA:D® Canada program includes education sessions and supervised exercise sessions over approximately six weeks.
Start Your Journey Toward Less Pain
If knee or hip arthritis is limiting your lifestyle, the GLA:D® Canada Program may help you move with greater confidence and less pain.
Book your assessment today and discover how evidence-based education and exercise can help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life.