Updated January 01, 2013.

Definition:

Neuromodulation is a treatment that delivers either electricity or drugs to nerves in order to change their activity. Neuromodulation is the name for an overall category of treatment, one that can be used for a variety of diseases and symptoms. For example, neuromodulation can be used to treat spinal cord damage, headaches, Parkinson's disease, chronic back pain and even deafness.

There are two main types of neuromodulation:

• Neurostimulation: delivers electrical signals to the brain, spinal cord or nerves
• Implanted drug pumps: sometimes used as a last resort in pain management therapy for people with severe chronic back pain syndromes.

One big advantage of drug pumps is that the medication is delivered directly to the area that needs it, which allows for much lower doses.