[Pain treatment yesterday--development of organized pain management].

This short historical report describes the course of development of interdisciplinary pain management starting from the early US-American pain clinics (nerve block clinics). The special developments in Germany are considered. The classification of pain treatment facilities is presented in detail. The change of paradigm from a biological (medical) pain model to a bio-psycho-social disease and pain concept implied abandoning monodisciplinary management strategies for chronic pain patients. Proved concerted actions regarding pain clinic organization and quality assurance are described.