Significant developments, especially in the past two decades, have resulted in greater relief from pain for an increasing number of patients. However, the overall quality of treat- ment for pain in the United States remains unacceptable for millions of patients with acute or persistent pain. While the potential for attaining a standard of optimal care within the discipline of pain medicine is consider- able, contemporary pain care has not achieved the synergy that can be afforded through a comprehensive and integrated approach to research, diagnosis, and treatment of pain. Contemporary medicine has had notable but incomplete, success with investigating, diagnosing, and treating pain, especially when a one-to-one relationship.
