An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea comprising an external, low voltage electrical stimulator that provides between 5 to 25 milliamps connected to electrodes imbedded located over the first and third intercostals or the third and fifth intercostals. The stimulator is designed to provide a current to the electrodes that stimulated one of the two pairs of intercostals for 59 seconds, rest for 4 seconds and then repeats the cycle throughout the night after the user has fallen asleep. The stimulator includes a main power switch and two amplitude control switches (also called amplitude control switches), a main control switch, an adustable delay activation timer switch, a power timer switch, an amplitude lock switch, two channel electrode wire plugs, an LCD display, and a battery pack. Prior to use, the amplitude control switches adjusted and lock at an amplitude needed to cause contraction. of the intercostals assigned to the channel. The patient then connects the electrode wires to the intercostals electrodes and activates the stimulator.
