GLA:D® Arthritis Program — Stittsville and Kanata South
Knee or hip arthritis doesn't have to run your life.
GLA:D is an evidence-based education and exercise program that helps people with hip and knee arthritis manage pain and stay moving — developed in Denmark, now offered across Canada.
FIND AN APPOINTMENT CALL (613) 836-3699What is GLA:D?
GLA:D stands for "Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark." It's a structured education and neuromuscular exercise program designed specifically for hip and knee osteoarthritis — built on the latest OA research and refined with feedback from thousands of people living with arthritis. Over 10,000 people participated in Denmark, and the program has been offered across Canada since 2016.
Is this program for you?
GLA:D was designed for people who recognize themselves here:
Stiff, achy knees or hips
Especially first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while — it takes a few minutes to "get going."
Pain on stairs and chairs
Going up or down stairs hurts. Getting up from a low chair or out of the car has become a project.
Told it's "wear and tear"
Diagnosed with osteoarthritis — or suspect it — and want to do something about it besides wait.
Worried about surgery
Wondering if a joint replacement is inevitable, and wanting to delay it — or avoid it — if you can.
Reaching for painkillers
Relying on medication more than you'd like just to get through the day.
Rest didn't fix it
You've tried taking it easy. The stiffness came back anyway — because arthritic joints usually do better with guided movement than with rest.
What actually happens
A clear program with a beginning, a middle, and the tools to keep going on your own.
Assess
A trained clinician assesses your joint, movement, and function — including simple functional tests — to confirm GLA:D is right for you.
Learn
Two education sessions: what OA actually is, why your joint hurts, how the exercises stabilize it, and how to manage it day to day.
Train
12 supervised exercise sessions — twice a week for six weeks. Each 60-minute session: warm-up, circuit training, cool-down. Group setting, exercises tailored to your level.
Keep going
You leave knowing how to fold the exercises into daily life and stay active — so the strength and stability you've built actually last.
Real GLA:D classes, right here in Stittsville
This is what the program looks like at our clinic — group sessions, guided by a trained clinician.
Small groups — exercise together, stay motivated together.
Supervised exercise circuits, adjusted to your level.
Balance and strength work — always with support nearby.
Two ways to join
Pick the route that suits you — both lead to the same program.
Through your doctor
Ask your family doctor or a walk-in clinic for a referral to the Queensway Carleton Joint Assessment clinic or Medsports. They'll assess you — and if GLA:D is a good fit, they'll refer you to us.
Private — skip the wait
Contact us directly and start right away. Group sessions are $50/session, and both education sessions are free.
Why it works
Published results from Canadian GLA:D participants:
28% less pain
Average decrease in pain intensity reported by hip and knee participants.
90% satisfied
Felt they benefited from the program and were satisfied with it.
More active
35% increased the days per week they were physically active for 30+ minutes.
It sticks
71% still use what they learned every single day after the program.
Source: GLA:D Canada Implementation Outcomes report (Bone and Joint Canada / University Health Network).
What patients say
Real reviews from our own Google page — including patients who came through GLA:D:
"Originally found this clinic by taking a GLA:D class recommended by the hospital. At the end of the 12-visit class Sagar said that if I gave him a chance he could reduce my pain and extend my range of motion. Now after 6 visits I am a believer. … I am confident I can do the recommended stretches and exercises and avoid going through that surgery."
— Google review
"When I showed up for my assessment, I had osteoarthritis and very poor range of motion — my leg was bending inwards, making it very painful to walk. My treatment went well. My leg is now straighter and I have much less pain! I am very grateful to the team at Agility Physiotherapy."
— Google review
"I thought I was going to need a knee replacement surgery, but now I am confident I can do the recommended stretches and exercises and avoid going through that surgery. Thank you Sagar for saving me from surgery."
— Google review
Patient reviews describe individual experiences. Results and treatment plans vary.
Common questions
Straight answers before you commit to anything.
Do I need an arthritis diagnosis to join?
The program is designed for hip and knee osteoarthritis. If you have the symptoms but no formal diagnosis yet, the initial assessment will determine whether the program is right for you.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No — you can book privately and start right away. You can also come through your doctor: ask your GP or a walk-in clinic for a referral to the Queensway Carleton Joint Assessment clinic or Medsports. If they find GLA:D is right for you, they'll refer you to us.
How much does it cost?
Private: $50 per group session — both education sessions are free. That covers the full program: assessment, two education sessions, and 12 supervised exercise sessions.
My arthritis is severe — "bone on bone." Can exercise really help?
The program was developed for people with mild to severe symptoms. The exercises target the muscles that stabilize your joint, which is what helps a worn joint stay supported. Your assessment will confirm whether it's appropriate for you.
I'm worried exercise will hurt my knees.
That's the most common concern we hear — and it's exactly why the program starts with education. These aren't generic gym exercises; they're neuromuscular exercises designed for arthritic joints, supervised by a trained clinician, and progressed gradually at your pace.
What if I can't keep up with a group?
Every exercise is tailored to your level within the group setting, and the pace is yours. Talk to us beforehand and we'll make sure the program works for where you're starting from.
Is it covered by insurance?
Many extended health plans include physiotherapy coverage. Ask us — we'll help you check what your plan covers before you commit.
Ready to see if GLA:D is right for you?
Book an assessment — we'll confirm the program is a fit for your joints and get you started.
FIND AN APPOINTMENT CALL (613) 836-3699