• Skip to main content
  • About
    • Our History
    • The Problem
    • How We Help
    • Why TPC?
    • Testimonials
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Conditions
  • Treatments
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Blog
    • Patient Forms
    • Pain News Magazine
    • Patient FAQ
    • Medical Records Request
  • Referring Providers
    • Fax Forms
    • Insurance Information
    • Referral Testimonials
  • Contact
    • Careers
Request an Appointment Now
Fax a Referral Forms
Appointments Available, Click Here!
Patient Portal
Fax Referral Forms
Careers
Request an Appointment
  • About
    • Our History
    • The Problem
    • How We Help
    • Why TPC?
    • Testimonials
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Conditions
  • Treatments
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Blog
    • Patient Forms
    • Pain News Magazine
    • Patient FAQ
    • Medical Records Request
  • Referring Providers
    • Fax Forms
    • Insurance Information
    • Referral Testimonials
  • Contact
    • Careers
Home » Blog » What is Neuromodulation?

What is Neuromodulation?

July 11, 2023

As technology advances, medical professionals continue developing new pain control methods for chronic conditions. In this blog, we’ll look at neuromodulation and its role in pain management. 

We’ll go over the following:

  • What is neuromodulation in simple terms?
  • What is the purpose of neuromodulation?
  • What is an example of neuromodulation?
  • What is a neuromodulation device?
  • Is neuromodulation FDA approved?
  • What type of doctor performs neuromodulation?
  • Chronic pain treatment at The Pain Center

What is Neuromodulation in Simple Terms?

Neuromodulation is a technology that targets the nerves through electrical stimulation to alter how the nerves communicate, alleviating chronic pain from various conditions.

What is the Purpose of Neuromodulation?

Neuromodulation is used to manage pain, improve muscle movement, and reduce the effects of chronic conditions and intractable pain. It can help patients who suffer from diseases like Parkinson’s. Along with physical pain, neuromodulation can help with neurological and psychiatric disorders like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and major depression.

What is an Example of Neuromodulation?

A patient with neuropathic pain due to a failed back surgery may use the neuromodulation method, Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), to alleviate pain. In this procedure, a small nerve stimulation device is implanted to deliver low-voltage electrical currents to the spine to reduce pain signals.

What is a Neuromodulation Device?

A neuromodulation device is a small implant designed to send electric, magnetic, or chemical stimulation to different areas of the nervous system, depending on the area of the body where the pain is located. It interferes with nerve activity and pain receptor signals that travel to the brain to reduce pain.

Is Neuromodulation FDA Approved?

There are various forms of neuromodulation, such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). 

FDA approval for neuromodulation will vary depending on the method and the condition being targeted. For example, The Pain Center’s neuromodulation method Spinal Cord Stimulation is minimally-invasive and FDA-approved. 

Other FDA-approved methods of neuromodulation include:

  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for treating Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) for failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and refractory neuropathic pain.
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for major depressive disorder in patients who have not responded to antidepressant medication.
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for treating epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression.
  • Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS)  for overactive bladder, urinary retention, and fecal incontinence.

What Type of Doctor Performs Neuromodulation?

Neurosurgeons typically perform neuromodulation. Neurosurgeons are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of chronic pain disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. Their areas of expertise include brain surgery, spinal surgery, and peripheral nerve surgery. They’ll work with other healthcare professionals like neurologists and oncologists to ensure their patient receives proper care like neuromodulation therapies and medication support.

Chronic Pain Treatment at The Pain Center

TPC Spine Stim

TPC Spine Stim is for patients with chronic back or leg pain who haven’t responded to alternative, conservative treatments in the past six months. The TPC Spine Stim works by implanting a nerve stimulation device into your spine. The device delivers low-voltage electrical currents to areas of the spine to reduce the pain signals causing chronic pain.

TPC Spine Fuse

TPC Spine Fuse targets spinal degeneration, usually brought on by stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and related conditions. It works to alleviate pain due to pressure on the spinal cord and instability that causes painful movements of the vertebrate.

In this procedure, a small incision goes into the back under live X-ray guidance. A device is placed between the spinous processes that fuse the segment. This gives the back stability, where the bones shift forward and backward. Our procedure can also be done through alternative approaches (a posterior, oblique, or lateral approach) depending on each individual’s needs.

TPC Spine Lift

TPC Spine Lift is a spinal decompression treatment to relieve spinal nerve pressure pain. This procedure is designed to aid patients suffering from chronic pain due to spinal stenosis and related conditions.

Our procedure uses the Vertiflex technique, lifting the space where the lumbar vertebrae are narrowing or bulging (often resulting from spinal stenosis). This process is done under a live X-ray as guidance, placing a small device that opens up the pressure area.

TPC Sacral Fuse

TPC Sacral Fuse provides stability to the joints of patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This condition can cause pain with too little or too much joint movement.

Under live X-ray guidance, a small device is placed into the sacroiliac joint, fusing the joint. Fusing the joint creates better stability, targeting pain caused by movement and instability.

TPC Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

The TPC Peripheral Nerve Stimulation offers pain relief to patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy and related conditions. A small electrical wire is surgically implanted along the damaged peripheral nerves, delivering rapid electrical pulses. These pulses feel like a mild tingling sensation, called paresthesias, and help to minimize pain.

TPC Spine Decompress

TPC Spine Decompress offers a minimally invasive method of pain relief for patients with spinal stenosis. In this treatment procedure, a small trocar needle is used to locate where the narrowing is causing the pain is occurring. Following this, we use a small instrument called the rongeur to remove excessive bone or tissue to open the area.

Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain Management
Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Dr. Steven Siwek

Steven M. Siwek, MD, MBA, is one of the Valley’s leading pain management specialists. Dr. Siwek completed medical school at New York Medical College and finished his residency and fellowship at Mayo Clinic. He also received a Masters of Business Administration at Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University.

Related Posts

how do i get my legs to stop aching

How Do I Get My Legs to Stop Aching?

May 16, 2025

Leg pain can weigh you down, especially if you’re an older adult already managing chronic back pain or limb pain, and it’s often a sign of underlying health conditions. At...

Read moremore about How Do I Get My Legs to Stop Aching?
common causes of leg pain

Common Causes of Leg Pain

May 2, 2025

Leg pain can hit hard, especially if you’re older and already dealing with chronic back pain or limb pain. It might be a dull ache in your leg muscle or...

Read moremore about Common Causes of Leg Pain
shoulder impingement syndrome

What is Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?

April 18, 2025

If your shoulder aches when you lift your arm, you might be dealing with shoulder impingement syndrome. It’s a common issue, especially for older folks who already battle chronic back...

Read moremore about What is Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?

Have Questions? Contact Us 623.516.8252

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
Common Conditions Treated
  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Leg Pain
  • Joint Pain
  • Pelvic Pain
  • Arm Pain
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Head Pain
  • Foot Pain
  • Total Body Pain

Not sure? See all conditions.

For Patients
  • Request Appointment
  • Meet the Providers
  • Patient Forms
  • FAQ
  • Accepted Insurance
  • Patient Testimonials
  • Patient Portal
  • Medical Device Warning
  • Locations
For Referral Coordinators
  • Why The Pain Center?
  • Fax Forms
  • Insurance Forms
  • Physicians by Location
  • What Our Referrals Are Saying
© 2025 The Pain Center. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use  |  Non-Discrimination Policy