KEY MESSAGES IN GLA:D® BACK

The goal of GLA:D®BACK is increased self-management through greater knowledge of the back and a better physical capacity.

GLA:D®BACK builds on a model that takes as its starting point the way for patients to manage their back, rather than a model that focuses on treating a specific diagnosis. This means that we assume that pain affects the way patients move, that particular movements which can maintain the pain, and that thoughts about what is wrong and what patients can and must not do can be just as inhibiting of normal functioning as the pain itself.

Patient education is central to GLA:D®BACK. The main messages are:

  • Pain is an expression of the total load exceeding the total capacity to cope. Loads and capability are physical, mental and social.
  • In 90% of back pain cases, the pain is not evidence of a back injury. This is often called ‘nonspecific’ back pain, which is benign.
  • Back pain is an activation of the ‘back alarm’ that causes us to adjust and change our activities.
  • The amount of pain is not a sign of how damaged the back is, but a sign of how sensitive the back alarm is

Training in GLA:D®BACK

  • is based on a combination of strength, endurance and mobility training and not a specific exercise concept
  • works with movement variation, as it is a common feature for back patients that the variation in movement patterns is reduced
  • focuses on regaining free and natural movement patterns
  • focuses on giving the patient confidence when moving
  • focuses on giving the patient ownership of their exercises
  • does not have one specific correct execution of the exercises – relaxed, varied movement adapted to the individual patient is the goal
A GLA:D BACK needs balance between capacity and demands.