Neuromodulation system and method for transitioning between programming modes

A method of operating an implantable neuromodulator coupled to an electrode array implanted adjacent tissue of a patient having a medical condition, comprising:

• conveying electrical modulation energy to tissue of the patient in accordance with a series of modulation parameter sets, thereby gradually displacing the locus of the resulting electrical field relative to the tissue, such that a plurality of different loci of the resulting electrical field can be respectively associated with the series of modulation parameter sets;
• causing the patient to perceive paresthesia in response to the conveyance of the electrical modulation energy to the tissue in accordance with at least one of the modulation parameter sets;
• identifying one of the at least one modulation parameter sets based on the perceived paresthesia;
• deriving another modulation parameter set from the identified modulation parameter set;
• and
• conveying electrical modulation energy to the tissue of the patient in accordance with the other modulation parameter set, thereby creating an electrical field having a locus relative to the tissue that is the same as the locus of the electrical field associated with the identified modulation parameter set, and without causing the patient to perceive paresthesia.