GLA:D Back

Reducing and managing back pain

GLA:D Back is a treatment option for patients with long-term or recurrent low back pain that affects everyday life. The program combines both education and exercise to improve self-management skills in patients with back pain.

Originally developed in Denmark (GLA:D Good Life with osteoarthritis in Denmark), GLA:D Back was developed to provide evidence-based self-management programs for people with persistent or recurrent low back pain. The program's purpose is to provide patients with the knowledge and tools to help them reduce their back pain and to better manage the pain that is present.

Program for patients

The content of the GLA:D Back program is based on the best available research knowledge for back pain treatment, informed by recommendations covered in national and international guidelines, and developed in collaboration with researchers, patients and therapists.

GLA:D Back is also a research project, designed to increase knowledge about back pain and improve treatment options for patients with back pain. Patients are therefore sent questionnaires (for data registration purposes) at the start, then again after three months, six months and one year so that we can follow how they are going before they commence the program, in the short term, and in the long term.

1. Initial testing, setting goals and recording baseline questionnaires. During this consultation patients determine their starting point for training and their goals for the course.
2. Two patient education sessions. These sessions are taken in groups, where participants learn about the back, why back pain occurs and what can be done to improve their back to better meet the demands of everyday life.
3. 16 exercise classes over eight weeks. Exercise training classes take place twice a week for eight weeks, with the opportunity to customise it to the patient’s needs. The exercises can be performed with varying degrees of difficulty and adapted to the individual participant. The purpose of the exercises is to achieve greater strength, suppleness, balance and variation in the movements of the spine, so that patients can use the spine more easily and have more confidence to move naturally and freely.
4. Final testing, goals and follow-up questionnaire. At the conclusion of the program the clinician will perform an evaluation of the patient’s outcomes, both with physical tests and assessment of goals.
5. Patient questionnaires at three, six and 12 months. GLA:D Back is also a research project, designed to increase knowledge about back pain and improve treatment options for patients with back pain. Patients are therefore sent questionnaires periodically so we can follow how their improvement and progression.

Information for GPs and other referrers

GLA:D Back is a treatment option for patients with long-term or recurrent low back pain that affects everyday life. The program combines both education and exercise to improve self-management skills in patients with back pain.