A desired effect is produced by therapeutically activating tissue at a first
site
within a patient's body and a corresponding undesired side effect is reduced by
blocking activation of tissue or conduction of action potentials at a second site
within the patient's body by applying high frequency stimulation and/or direct
current pulses at or near the second site. Time-varying DC pulses may be used before
or after a high frequency blocking signal. The high frequency stimulation may begin
before and continue during the therapeutic activation. The high frequency stimulation
may begin with a relatively low amplitude, and the amplitude may be gradually increased.
The desired effect may be promotion of micturition or defecation and the undesired
side effect may be sphincter contraction. The desired effect may be defibrillation
of the patient's atria or defibrillation of the patient's ventricles, and the undesired
side effect may be pain.
