Rewiring Pain: The Promise of Neuromodulation

Neuromodulation is an expanding field within pain medicine that modifies nervous system activity by applying electrical stimulation. Devices may be applied internally or externally, ranging from non-invasive devices applied to the skin, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, to more invasive methods that require the surgical implantation of a device, such as spinal cord stimulation. The literature supports the use of these techniques in multimodal pain regimens or for managing chronic and refractory pain when specific criteria are met. Further research is essential in understanding long-term safety, efficacy, and application for various patient populations and pain conditions.