Ms Park had been managing chronic lower back pain for about six years - not helped, she says, with a desk job - when she experienced frozen shoulder.

Unable to lift her arm or carry anything, Ms Park became increasingly concerned she could be stuck like that. But, having long seen an osteopath to help her back, Ms Park turned to a multidisciplinary approach to best help and manage her condition.

About 6.9 million Australians live with musculoskeletal conditions and, without pain management, on third will develop mental health concerns, with uncertainty in full recovery creating despair, according to Osteopathy Australia this National Pain Week.

"It really affected my mental health," Ms Park said. "I had a lot of fear and anxiety about movement. I worried the pain will be forever."

Ms Park, who also has diabetes, said working with her osteopath for her back helped her not be afraid to move around carefully and under supervision. This was about learning "the art of movement" again, from how to prevent stiffness to best posture.

Ms Park's osteopath Megan May helped her tap into the clinic's range of allied health professionals, particularly Pilates.

Ms May, who is also Eureka Osteo director, said the key to treating anyone with chronic pain was lots of safe movement, whether this be on the osteo table, Pilates or working through a planned program at home.

"Sometimes people think sitting and lying down for rest is needed but often that can make it get worse," Ms May said.

"A lot of research shows a multi-disciplinary approach is best and almost always involves exercise under supervision.

"...Our philosophy is to try and empower and educate patients so they don't panic, but have the confidence and resilience if flare-ups do occur.

"Treatment every week is not sustainable."

Ms May said it was important for people to find the right exercise and treatment for them, so it was more likely they would persist and keep progressing safely.

For Ms Park, the gradual progression is about getting her life back in confidently doing the seemingly simple things, like picking up things and walking up stairs.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced funding for a national action plan in June to improve the lives of people living with chronic pain and to support their families and carers.

Understand your initial injury, and the other factors in your life that may contribute to your pain. Get a clear diagnosis from your health professional and start to learn about the neuroscience behind persistent pain.

Pain does not equal tissue damage. Pain is the brain's way of alerting a perceived danger. Sometimes it is like a faulty fire alarm going off when there is no fire.

Make a list of things that help you to feel safe. This can help you calm down in pain. These can include activities you can do without pain, knowledge around your injury and feeling in control of your pain.

Find your baseline. This refers to the amount of an activity that you can do and know that your pain won't flare up. For example, how far you feel comfortable walking.

Cut the crap. What is in your life that isn't helping your recovery? Improving your diet, quitting smoking, getting professional help for depression or anxiety, or learning mindfulness techniques will all help your general well-being.

Watch your language. Helpful metaphors and mantras may include: I'm sore but I am safe; it's a bend in the road not the end of the road; hurt does not equal harm.

Set goals. These will involve pacing and graded exposure to help remind the brain activities that are safe.

No freaking out over flare-ups. When you have been in pain for a period of time, the process of calming down your sensitive nervous system, and retraining the brain regarding when to make pain signals, is a gradual one. It is to be expected there will be flare ups along the way. The calmer you can be about this, the less pain you will feel.

Bring on the (natural) drugs. Find things that make you happy and do them. Plan activities that make you laugh and smile, things that extend your brain, and keep you active.

Find a good health professional and be patient. Someone who listens to you, makes you feel comfortable, and clearly explains things is important. If you have been in pain for a long time, one simple treatment probably won't cut it. Chronic pain is complex, and requires a comprehensive holistic approach taking into account multiple systems in your body, and external factors.

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