#$%^&*AU2017251677A120171109.pdf#####ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for using low levels of electrical stimulation to treat focal dystonia by stimulating the afferent nervous system and/or altering the function of the gamma motor neurons innervating muscles which experience symptomatic spasms. A method and apparatus for treating focal dystonia comprising using a stimulator to provide a stimulating electrical impulse via an electrode to one or more muscles such that the impulse does not provide a level of stimulation that exceeds the excitation threshold of the alpha motor neurons innervating the muscle and thus does not cause muscle contractions.2/4 CENTRAL NERVOUS GAMMA MOTOR SYSTEM 30 No NEURONS 36 INTRAFUSAL AFFERENT NERVES FIBERS 38 39 STIMULATION 40~ ALPHA MOTOR EXTRAFUSAL NEURONS 32 MUSCLE FIBERS 34 FIG. 2 CENTRAL NERVOUS GAMMA MOTOR SYSTEM 50 NEURONS 56 INTRAFUSAL AFFERENT NERVES FIBERS 58 59 STIMULATION 60 ALPHA MOTOR EXTRAFUSAL NEURONS 52 MUSCLE FIBERS 54 FIG. 3 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
