Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating severe chronic, persistent or recurring neuropathic or psychogenic pain, or pain which is nociceptive if the patient is suffering from terminal disease, by selectively applying a pulse waveform to a lead/electrode implanted on the patient's cervical vagus nerve or other site preferably above the location of the pain to stimulate afferent fibers for activating a descending anti-nociceptive pathway and thereby blocking incoming pain signals. The pulse waveform has programmable pulse width, current level and frequency, and pulse sequence on and off time durations. The programmed pulse sequences are applied to the implanted electrode either on a continuous basis, or only during the period the patient is normally awake, or is initiated by the patient or automatically in response to the onset of pain.