Plexus Neurology

Serving the Illawarra, Shoalhaven & Southern Sydney

Led by A/Prof John Carmody, Plexus Neurology offers a wide range of clinical services. Patient satisfaction is a priority. Please call us today to see how we can help you or your family.

A/Prof John Carmody 

MB BCh FRCPI FRACP PhD

Consultant Neurologist & Neurophysiologist

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Dr John Carmody graduated from medical school in Dublin, Ireland. He completed this Neurology training in Sydney shortly afterwards. Since arriving in Wollongong as a Neurologist in 2009, the opportunity arose at the University of Wollongong to undertake a PhD under the supervision of Prof Don Iverson and A/Prof Victoria Traynor. Now completed, this led to national and international peer-reviewed publications. He is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN). 

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As a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong medical school, Dr Carmody is responsible for supervising local and elective (overseas) medical students. As a National Examiner for the RACP, he provides tuition for medical registrars and has co-authored chapters in two medical clinical skills textbooks. He provides training to junior and senior doctors on the use of Botox® - direct instruction and lectures.

Botulinum Toxin Clinics

As one of largest botulinum clinics in the region, a wide range of conditions are treated. Much of the cost is often reimbursed by Medicare.

Conditions treated include:

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sweating

teeth clenching / grinding

migraine

blepharospasm

hemifacial spasm

cervical dystonia

cerebral palsy

excessive saliva

jaw opening / closing dystonia

writer's cramp

spasticity (e.g. post-stroke)

tongue dystonia

foot dystonia

facial synkinesis (e.g. post Bell's Palsy) 

Botulinum Toxin & Neurology

History of Botox

From monkeys to us!

Therapeutic use of botulinum toxin began in the late 1960s when Ophthalmologist, Dr. Alan Scott, successfully injected rhesus monkeys' eye muscles to correct squint. He then managed to reproduce successful results in people in the 1970's.

Further studies confirming the medical benefits of botulinum toxin type A led to approval by the US Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) in 1989.  Initially, it was used in the treatment of blepharospasm, strabismus and cervial dystonia. Now, it is used globally for a huge range of medical and cosmetic indications.

11 Surprising Uses for Botox

Time Magazine

By Alexandra Sifferlin, Jan 5, 2017

Though many experts are still skeptical, early trials suggest Botox may alleviate symptoms in people with depression. The proposed mechanism is based on what’s called the facial feedback hypothesis, which holds that a person’s facial expressions can influence their mood. One small 2014 study of 74 people with major depressive disorder found that 52% of people who received Botox reported a drop in symptoms six weeks later, compared with 15% of the people given a placebo. Allergan is currently conducting clinical trials to see if Botox can treat depression.