Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a therapy that uses mild electrical pulses from an implanted system to stimulate targeted nerves. This system looks and operates very much like a pacemaker, except that instead of sending pulses to the heart, it sends pulses to a nerve or group of nerves at the back of the head.

A PNS system has four parts:

Neurostimulator – a stopwatch-sized metal case containing the battery and electronics which stimulate the nerves

Leads and extensions – wires that carry the mild electrical pulses from the neurostimulator to the nerves

Controller – a remote control device that turns the system on and off and adjusts power levels

Programmer – A remote control device that enables a doctor or nurse to adjust and fine-tune the stimulation