Substantial recent research examines the efficacy and biological basis of many types of complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies. However, "real-world" use of CAM has been largely overlooked, despite calls for CAM therapies to be studied in the manner in which they are practiced and urging high prioritization for research that includes clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and the decision-making process for patients and providers. There is, therefore, heightened need for enriched understanding—particularly given CAM's growing popularity, which fortunately offers stores of new data for research. Recent studies suggests that Americans seek CAM treatments far more often for chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) than for any other condition. Among CAM treatments for CMP, acupuncture and chiropractic (A/C) care are among those with the highest acceptance by physician groups and the best evidence to support their use. Further, recent alarming increases in delivery of opioid treatment and surgical interventions for chronic pain—despite their high costs, potential adverse effects, and modest efficacy—suggests the need to evaluate the outcomes associated with promising non-pharmacological/non-surgical CAM treatments for CMP, which are often well accepted by patients and increasingly used in the community.