FDA proposes that doctors learn about acupuncture for pain management

The Food and Drug Administration released proposed changes Wednesday to its blueprint on educating health care providers about treating pain. The guidelines now recommend that doctors get information about chiropractic care and acupuncture as therapies that might help patients avoid prescription opioids.
Do you think this is a good recommendation to help patients avoid opioid (narcotic drugs)?

FDA proposes that doctors learn about chiropractic and acupuncture for pain management

The Better Way to Get Back Pain Relief

Consumer Reports survey of 3,562 back-pain sufferers found that more than 80 percent of those who had tried yoga or tai chi or had seen a massage therapist or chiropractor said it had helped them.
Growing research shows that a combination of hands-on therapies and other nondrug measures can be just as effective as more traditional forms of back care, including drugs and surgery. And they’re much safer.
In February the American College of Physicians—which represents primary care doctors, the providers people consult most often for a backache—issued new guidelines for back-pain treatment, saying that the first line of defense should be nondrug measures.
Has anyone seen this Consumer Reports article?

The Better Way to Get Back Pain Relief

For Bad Backs, It May Be Time to Rethink Biases About Chiropractors

Here is another article based on the new guidelines from the American College of Physicians ( national organization of the medical internal medicine physicians) which recommends non drug treatments such as spinal maniplution and exercise therapy as the first options for back pain. This article written by a medical physician reviews the research showing that spinal manipulation (adjustment) is an effective and safe treatment for low back pain.
Does it seem surprising that a national medical organizaiton is recommending non drug therapies as a first step of treatment?

For Bad Backs, It May Be Time to Rethink Biases About Chiropractors

Spinal Manipulation Can Ease Your Aching Back

Consumer Reports gives information on the new study from the Journal of AMA which reviewed 26 previous studies and concluded that spinal manipulation (adjustments) is beneficial for back pain. 
Also a recent Consumer Reports survey of 3500 back pain sufferers showed that over 90% of them thought that spinal manipulation was beneficial for them.
Newer research is showing that pain medications are not nearly as beneficial as previously thought for back pain and carry more significant side effects.
Does it seem reasonable to try spinal manipulation as it is safer than drugs?

Spinal Manipulation Can Ease Your Aching Back