The origin of the pain clinic concept developed during World War II, Beecher, an anesthesiologist, publication's persuaded the medical community that pain, is not always proportional to tissue damage, and that many other factors modify pain. During the war Bonica, an anesthesiologist, and Alexander, were the first physicians to appreciate the difficult problems presented by chronic pain patients. They realized that the solution of complex pain problems requires vast knowledge and clinical experience. They both felt that patients with chronic pain could best be managed by a team approach. Even though Bonica introduced the idea of a team approach in the early 1950's, it was not until 1960 that he, together with Dr. White, a neurosurgeon, and Crowley, a member of the faculty of the University of Washington School of Nursing, developed one of the first multidisciplinary pain centers in the United States at the University of Washington.

The rise in the number of pain treatment centers in the United States reflects increasing awareness of chronic pain and its impact on society.

The growth of organizations also confirms the concern health professionals share in managing this difficult and multifaceted problem. Several organizations whose primary purpose is to educate pain management professionals have developed in the past two decades.

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) was incorporated in 1974. Its goals are to foster and encourage pain research, promote education and training, facilitate dissemination of information, encourage adoption of uniform nomenclature and classification, encourage education of the public regarding pain issues, encourage development of an extensive data bank, and advise on standards of pain treatment. The IASP publishes the scientific journal Pain. This was the first journal specifically devoted to scientific and clinical issues regarding pain.

Other organizations related to pain management are The American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) initially founded in 1923 by the great physician Dr. Gaston Labat and reorganized in 1976.

The American Academy of Pain was organized in 1983. The Clinical Journal of Pain has become the official journal of this organization.

The World Institute of Pain was organized in 1994. The official journal of The World Institute of Pain is Current Review of Pain.