Some of the
Conditions We Treat

Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy should respond to one small painless injection to the facial nerve as it emerges from the skull behind the ear. The initial inflammation is probably caused by a virus. The inactive nerve cannot oppose the action of the facial nerve on the opposite side of the face, which pulls the flaccid face to its side. One tiny injection usually normalizes the affected nerve and the face can pull back immediately. Early treatment of the palsy is most effective.

Meet Dr. Brian McDonagh

Over 25 years of experience in the field of restorative medicine

"Revolutionizing Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment." Our approach is safer, more effective and faster than traditional therapies, providing quick pain relief with rapid return of function for patients who have not found relief elsewhere. This new method minimizes side effects, making it the preferred option. The Mayo Clinic published a study in their PROCEEDINGS about a painful nerve condition, comparing different modes of treatment, and the Dextrose injections had the best results. Reference: DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.06.01 </span/

Dr. Brian McDonagh, MD, stands out as a seasoned physician with an impressive tenure exceeding 30 years, primarily based in Illinois. His career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to restorative medicine, a field he turned to, driven by a personal quest to address his own degenerative arthritic knee pain. Disenchanted by conventional orthopedic solutions, Dr. McDonagh explored Prolotherapy in 2006, discovering not only its efficacy in treating degenerative arthritis but also its profound impact on his own quality of life. His knees regenerated and they have been pain free ever since. Prolotherapy should be the first line of treatment for all degenerative arthritic joints. This journey of self-healing then led him to Neural Prolotherapy, now known as Perineural Injection Therapy (PIT), a groundbreaking approach he deemed highly effective for nerve-triggered disorders. PIT was discovered by Dr John Lyftogt in Christchurch, New Zealand, who made an invaluable contribution to Neurology, and who has taught over 3000 doctors around the world.

Driven by his positive experiences and the substantial healing potential of these therapies, Dr. McDonagh became a pioneer in advocating for their broader acceptance into some major neurological problems, especially Peripheral Neuropathies & Multiple Sclerosis. His expertise in PIT now extends to a wider array of neurological conditions, such as Crohn’s Disease, IBS, Chronic Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Migraine, Trigeminal neuralgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and Chronic Low Back Pain (eg., the L3 Cluneal nerve). His innovative use of dextrose injection in PIT can eliminate pain while restoring normal function much quicker than usual, a great advantage for sport injuries. This is achieved by correcting the underlying neuropathy: a defective glycolysis within the nerves where the nerve C-fibers run out of ATP and depolarize, triggering spike protein formation and pain. The Dextrose temporarily restores C-fiber ATP (E) levels until the cell can recover its own ATP production. All of this occurs simultaneously at the affected nerves, turning off the stimulus/energy like a light switch, and pain relief usually follows within a minute. This has shown great results in rapidly relieving severe musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It was ideal for treating Peripheral Neuropathy from all causes. And not surprising, it worked great for Crohn’s disease, and also Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with early symptom relief, followed by “remission” a few weeks later. Also they don’t require DMTs and infusions. Dr McDonagh sees MS as a general neuropathy, and not a CNS driven disease. But it also makes MS treatment safer (no toxic and expensive DMTs and Infusions) and much more affordable to treat.

Dr. McDonagh’s educational journey began at the prestigious School of Medicine at University College Dublin, Ireland, where he graduated in 1968. After internship and two years of Rehabilitation Medicine at Wayne State, Detroit, Dr. McDonagh worked in adult medicine and surgery in suburban Chicago. In a landmark move in 1980, he founded Vein Clinics of America after he discovered a more effective treatment (Ultrasound image-guided injection) for his own varicose veins. This marked a pivotal shift from in-hospital surgery to a minimally invasive outpatient treatment revolutionizing the management of vein disorders, swollen leg and venous leg ulcers. His pioneering work, was published in the Journal of Phlebology (UK) in 2002, and gained international recognition. It has since been adopted in most countries.

Dr. McDonagh’s career is a narrative of innovation, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of faster and better quality treatments. His favorite medical instrument is the injection needle because it can place a tiny amount of medicine at the “bulls eye” of the target where it is most effective. His favorite solutions are inactive by Oral, IV and IM routes anyway. His contributions to medicine, especially in the realms of restorative and neurological treatments, underscore his role as a distinguished physician committed to improving patient outcomes.

27 References on Dextrose treatments:

1 Scripter C. Headache: Tension-Type Headache. FP Essent. 2018;473:17-20.

2 Robbins MS. Diagnosis and Management of Headache: A Review. JAMA. 2021;325(18):1874-1885.

3 Lam KHS, Su DC, Wu YT, Janze A, Reeves KD. Novel Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection with 5% Dextrose for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia Targeting the Greater Occipital Nerve. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024;14(13):1380. Published 2024 Jun 28.

4 Lam KHS, Kersschot J, Suryadi T. A Novel Treatment of Fascial Pain With Glucopuncture: Three Clinical Cases. Cureus. 2024;16(5):e59544. Published 2024 May 2.

5 Fischhoff C, Vincent K, Ultrasound-guided Glucopuncture in the management of saphenous nerve entrapment in ultra-trail runner: A clinical case, World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 20(03), 1803–1817

6 Kersschot J, Lam KHS, Teinny S, Nurhasanah L, Kesoema TA, Treatment of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome with Regional Sugar Water Injections: A Clinical Case. Medical Research Archives, dec 31, 2023

7 Kersschot J, Glucopuncture for Treatment of Fascial Pain in the Thumb. A Clinical Case, ISAR J Med Pharm Sci, 2584-0150, April 2024

8 Pandey N, Nayak P, Gahnolia V, A Randomized Control Trial on Efficacy of Analgesic Effect of 5% Dextrose Caudal Epidural Injection for Non-specific Low Back Pain. International Journal of Scientific Research, 2021, 10 (9), 11-13

9 Maniquis-Smigel L, Dean Reeves K, Jeffrey Rosen H, Lyftogt J, Graham-Coleman C, Cheng AL, Rabago D. Short Term Analgesic Effects of 5% Dextrose Epidural Injections for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Anesth Pain Med. 2016; 6 (1): e42550

10 Nasiri A, Rezaei Motlagh F, Vafaei MA. Efficacy comparison between ultrasound-guided injections of 5% dextrose with corticosteroids in carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Neurol Res. 2023 Jun;45(6):554-563

11 Ozge O, Derya G. Perineural 5% dextrose versus corticosteroid injection in non-surgical carpal tunnel syndrom treatment. Ideggyogy Sz. 2024 Mar 30;77(3- 4):121-129

12 Wu YT, Ke MJ, Ho TY, Li TY, Shen YP, Chen LC. Randomized double-blinded clinical trial of 5% dextrose versus triamcinolone injection for carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Ann Neurol. 2018 Oct;84(4):601-610

13 Lam KHS, Wu YT, Reeves KD, Galluccio F, Allam AE, Peng PWH. Ultrasound-Guided Interventions for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and MetaAnalyses. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Mar 16;13(6):1138

14 Hackett GS. Prolotherapy in whiplash and low back pain. Postgrad Med. 1960 Feb;27:214-9

15 Kersschot J, Mathieu T. Treatment of Painless Nodules With Glucopuncture in Dupuytren’s Disease in Men: A Clinical Case. Cureus. 2022 Nov 13;14(11):e31445

16 Kersschot J. Low-Dose Dextrose Prolotherapy as Effective as High-Dose Dextrose Prolotherapy in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis? A Double-Blind, Ultrasound Guided, Randomized Controlled Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023 Jul;104(7):1154-1155

17 Kersschot J, History of Glucopuncture, World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(01), 1925- 1933

18 Lam KHS, Su DC-J, Wu Y-T, Janze A, Reeves KD. Novel Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection with 5% Dextrose Techniques for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia Targeting the Greater Occipital Nerve. Diagnostics. 2024; 14(13):1380

19 Li TY, Chen SR, Shen YP, Chang CY, Su YC, Chen LC, Wu YT. Long-term outcome after perineural injection with 5% dextrose for carpal tunnel syndrome: a retrospective follow-up study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Feb 1;60(2):881-8873

20 Wu, Y.T.; Wu, C.H.; Lin, J.A.; Su, D.C.; Hung, C.Y.; Lam, S.K.H. Efficacy of 5% Dextrose Water Injection for Peripheral Entrapment Neuropathy: A Narrative Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 12358

21 Lam KHS, Su DC-J, Wu Y-T, Janze A, Reeves KD. Novel Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection with 5% Dextrose Techniques for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia Targeting the Greater Occipital Nerve. Diagnostics. 2024; 14(13):1380

22 Wu, Y.T.; Chen, Y.P.; Lam, K.H.S.; Reeves, K.D.; Lin, J.A.; Kuo, C.Y. Mechanism of Glucose Water as a Neural Injection;A Perspective on Neuroinflammation.  

23 Cherng, J.H.; Chang, S.J.; Tsai, H.D.; Chun, C.F.; Fan, G.Y.; Reeves, K.D.; Lam, K.H.S.; Wu, Y.T. The Potential of Glucose Treatment to Reduce Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Apoptosis of Inflamed Neural Cells In Vitro. Biomedicines 2023, 11, 1837

24 Lam KHS, Su DC-J, Wu Y-T, Janze A, Reeves KD. Novel Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection with 5% Dextrose Techniques for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia Targeting the Greater Occipital Nerve. Diagnostics. 2024; 14(13):1380

25 Chung, E.; Yoon, T.G.; Kim, S.; Kang, M.; Kim, H.J.; Son, Y. Intravenous Administration of Substance P Attenuates Mechanical Allodynia Following Nerve Injury by Regulating Neuropathic Pain-Related Factors. Biomol. Ther. 2017, 25, 259–265

26 Topol, G.A.; Pestalardo, I.G.; Reeves, K.D.; Elias, F.; Steinmetz, N.J.; Cheng, A.L.; Rabago, D. Dextrose Prolotherapy for Symptomatic Grade IV Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study of Early and Longer-Term Analgesia and Pain-Specific Cytokine Concentrations. Clin. Pract. 2022, 12, 926–938.

27. A Novel Somatic Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Case Report of Hydrodissection of the Cervical Plexus Using 5%Dextrose-PMC.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8988854/

Exploring Alternatives to Corticosteroids: A Safer Path for Pain Management

Chronic pain relief is best achieved by using PIT (Perineural Injection Therapy) nowadays because the medicine has no side effects, works faster and better. Dr John Lyftogt discovered this treatment and used it for treating athletic injuries in Christchurch, NZ, at the sports arena built for the Commonwealth games. The athletes preferred PIT because it was the quickest way they could resume their athletics when given as a near-nerve injection. The rapid pain relief is typically within a minute in most injuries, including sports injuries. Rapid Pain Relief is a prerequisite for the Return of Function to occur, and it is the main reason PIT was so popular in sports injuries. PIT uses a buffered solution of 5%Dextrose which is surprisingly a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic. It is more effective and preferable than the alternatives including Anti-inflammatory medicines, Lidocaine, Cortisone and Surgery.
 
Prolotherapy is an excellent treatment for degenerative osteo-arthritic joints (Hips, knees, etc.). This is not a new treatment; it was discovered in the 1930’s by Dr. George Hackett, a trauma surgeon in Canton, Ohio, in order to reduce unnecessary orthopedic surgery for minor joint injuries.  He discovered that joint and ligament repair could heal if an irritant solution was injected into the joint to stimulate the healing response. Several different medicines were tested but eventually a 25% Dextrose solution was found to be the best at stimulating the healing response, resulting in bone and cartilage regeneration, including the articular cartilage and Baker’s Cyst repair. It is very popular with patients because it effectively reduces the pain during the first visit, and is an outpatient treatment with no down time. You can usually walk immediately; the only rule is not to do an activity that increases pain during the healing phase, and do not take anti-inflammatory medicines or use ice packs, as these can stop the healing process which can last up to 6 weeks. There are no side effects from Dextrose. I became interested in Prolotherapy in 2006 for the treatment of my own painful arthritic knees, and my knees are still normal after 18 years.  
 
I have seen many arthritic joint patients who have had cortisone injections into their joints for pain, but this is a short sighted idea because cortisone blocks all physiological activity including healing, and so your joint will continue to degenerate, and you may have to have the joint replacement that you were trying to avoid! So go to a doctor who is specifically trained in Prolotherapy (and does not perform surgery) so as to avoid a conflict of interest. You should always start with a Prolotherapist who specializes in Prolotherapy; not a surgeon, and if that fails then you can have surgery. 
 

Prolotherapy was very successful when introduced in the 1930s. While it should have been welcomed as a victory for cost-effective medical care, but it was denied by the healthcare insurers because it was “too good,” meaning it was not popular with the hospitals and surgeons who were losing money. So the health insurers declined insurance coverage for it: maybe the hospitals had better lobbyists. This is still the situation today, some 90 years later, where the insurers are still denying safer and cheaper treatments that push patients into unnecessary surgeries which carry more serious risks. It is unethical and it should be illegal. And Medicare is just as guilty. (Talk to your employer and congressman). Interestingly, I’ve had insurance company employees who had my non-surgical treatments, presumably covered by their insurer/employer because they were never concerned about the cost which is always a fraction of the surgical cost, plus there was no prolonged recovery with physical therapy and weeks or months off work for them. There are many other safe out-patient minor procedures that could replace existing high cost major surgical procedures, but healthcare insurers make a lot of profit from the sale of surgical coverage; it’s the most expensive portion of our health insurance. Put simply, the profit from selling ALL the surgical policies is far greater than ALL the costs of surgery! Healthcare insurers should have to follow ethical and cost-effective guidelines. It would improve the quality of care and significantly lower the cost of all health insurance which is precisely the reason why the health insurers object to medical ethics getting in the way of profit. We would all be better off if we had cost-effective medicine where the decisions are made by the doctor and patient.  

Transforming Lives:
Our Patients' Success Stories

At our clinic, we believe in the power of innovative treatments not only alleviate pain but transform lives. Our patients’ success stories are a testament to our commitment to safer & more effective care by treating the cause rather than the symptoms. Our approach has opened doors to new beginnings and restored hope where it was once lost for patients with debilitating chronic pain and Loss of Function.

We invite you to explore these inspiring testimonials and see for yourself how our innovative treatments are making a difference. If you are a doctor and are interested in using these methods, then call me at the number on this website.

Local Doctor Develops Successful Cure For New Trier Grad's Paralysis

Kenilworth’s LJ was a 19 year old violin music student when she presented at Dr. Brian McDonagh’s office with a painful, paralyzed left arm in April of 2022.

LJ began playing the violin when she was only 3 yrs old. She was a child prodigy, and played at Suzuki Violin. She attended the Music Institute of Chicago in Winnetka and had the honor to play Carnegie Hall while still in middle school. When she was 12 yrs old she began to have pain and weakness in her left arm, and had to stop playing her violin. After seven years of pain & suffering, she had no diagnosis of her complex condition in spite of seeing many specialists. LJ had all but given up. She moved on to theatre and other activities to spend her time, all along missing the passion she loved most, playing the violin.

When Dr. McDonagh saw LJ she hadn’t been able to play or even pick up her violin. Her left arm had been deteriorating for 7 yrs. She came to his office after her mother had read an article about Dr. McDonagh and his specialized practice in “Winnetka, Kenilworth Living.” 

Fortunately, Dr. McDonagh sees patients with many versions of pain and “loss of function,” and he recognized the combination of Pain with Paralysis as a Traumatic Neuropathy. Physical examination of her shoulder, arm and hand revealed sensitive nerves that confirmed his diagnosis. He concluded that her traumatic neuropathy was caused by overuse of her left arm from enthusiastic violin playing.

Nerves can become neuropathic from trauma/overuse, resulting in painful inflammation and loss of function, progressing to increasing paralysis. Micro-injection treatment (PIT) normalizes abnormally painful nerves in many conditions that patients have presented with at his office, and so treating these tender nerve sites was all that she required. Her seven year disability disappeared within a few minutes, allowing her to be able to lift her left arm high above her head immediately with no discomfort. She was then capable of resuming her violin career. When I met her at Dr. McDonagh’s office on a rainy Friday the next month, I could see the joy in both her and her mom’s eyes. It’s unfortunate to be so young and lose something that brought so much joy to your life. LJ will now be able to play her beloved violin for many years to come!

Whether you have Migraine, MS, Crohn’s disease, or other chronic painful afflictions that afflict us, Dr. McDonagh might just have the answer for you.

Written by Mike Stark, Publisher at Best Version Media • Mar 23, 2023

COMMENTS: LJ only required one treatment; she hasn’t had any return of pain.This is usual. Trauma from overuse can cause a painful paralysis by injuring (inflaming) the nerve supply to those muscles. This occurs frequently in patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which are usually treated surgically, but they can be relieved of their pain by a Dilute Dextrose perineural injection within a few minutes. Similarly with baseball pitchers: they are routinely treated with Tommy Johns surgery which can keep them “benched” for months. Perineural Injection Treatment can normalize their arms in a few minutes, then back to play with no benching. The results have been permanent for me.

Multiple Sclerosis Testimonial

My name is Christine. I used to be handicapped. Now, thanks to Dr Brian McDonagh, I am handi-capable! We first met in 1984 at a seminar. Dr McDonagh founded Vein Clinics of America and he was the pioneer of a new injection treatment protocol for varicose veins. 

In 2008, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which progressed quite rapidly. I was in extreme pain 24/7. I had what is referred to as the “MS hug.” I was suffering with “locking fingers,” restless leg syndrome, and neuropathy in my feet. I was losing functionality to the point of having extremely limited mobility. Getting around required a cane, walker, or wheelchair. My previous doctor, a neurologist, prescribed Copaxone injections, as well as Baclofen and Tizanidine four times a day. I was so drugged that I was never awake for very long. These daily shots, and 8 pills a day, did not relieve my pain, they simply knocked me out … and then of course, I couldn’t sleep well at night. I was in constant pain, and I was beginning to suffer severe depression. Even with the side effects, I felt the meds were worth taking if they could help… but they didn’t. My condition continued to decline. Then, when I had a major exacerbation in October of 2019, I literally turned into a couch potato. My neurologist told me I could be bed-ridden or in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. When laying down, I couldn’t hold my head up … and standing upright was limited to just 5 minutes at a time. Simple tasks such as laundry, became an all-day job. My husband had to help me get into and out of bed and bath. He had to help me get on and off the couch and chairs … and most humiliating, on and off the toilet. My world was crashing down. The Copaxone shots were causing side-effects of necrosis, rapid heartbeats, back spasms, and hyperventilation. Sometimes it caused such pain that I actually had to scream. I couldn’t work. My husband’s ability to work was now limited. The high cost of my meds (over $4,000/month) drove us bankrupt. We lost our home and had to live in a house that I hated. Something had to change. Suicide was becoming a viable option. That’s when Dr. McDonagh came back into my life. We hadn’t seen each other in decades. But, when he found out from a friend what I was going through, he immediately contacted me to say he could help. 

I was quite skeptical, but I felt it couldn’t hurt to try. OMG … after my very first session, my pain levels dropped by 50%. I was able to walk out of his office without my cane. This was huge! Thanks to his peri-neural injections, my pain became less with each session. His work on my shoulders was a Godsend. The neuropathy in my feet changed so much I could feel my toes. My neck could hold my head up. My restless leg had disappeared, and my locking fingers moved freely. The MS hug greatly diminished, and I could walk without a cane for short distances. I still use the walker for long distances because of chronic back problems. Nevertheless, I am now able to walk and be upright for 20 minutes at a time, so among other things, laundry has ceased being an all-day job for each load. Yes, I feel you should give Dr. Brian McDonagh a chance to help you; for me the results have been lifesaving. My husband is proud to tell people that he has gotten his wife back. My children do not worry about me taking my own life. My home is getting organized, and I can now travel to see my grandchildren. 

Thank you and God Bless you Dr. McDonagh. 

Christine Q

COMMENTS: Christine has led a normal life in remission since her treatments in 2017. All other MS patients have had similar “rapid responses and early remission.” My treatment is directly focused at the junction of “cause meets effect” of her MS, rather than just treating symptoms.  I can normalize the nerves at the locations of the “cause of symptoms” by micro-injection. I can’t find compelling evidence of it being only a CNS disease, and therefore I’ve no use for DMTs & Infusions because “early remission” of her disease by injection takes care of that. I like the injection concept because I can put a small amount of medicine at the “Bull’s Eye”(exactly where it’s  needed) and get an immediate and better response.
Overall, I see MS as more of a peripheral and general neuropathy because it responds rapidly to local injection. I realize that this simplified treatment has the potential to profoundly change the future of MS, including treating most patients on an outpatient basis. The cost of MS drugs and management should undoubtedly plummet. This sudden and profound change in the cost of treatment may not be welcomed by the huge MS financial infrastructure, so I’m expecting resistance. However, most Primary Care doctors would like to treat their MS patients this way, so call me if you’re interested: (847)612.2737 iPhone for text or voicemail. Also for MS patients who have questions or concerns.

Crohn's Disease Testimonial

I’ve had symptoms of Crohn’s disease since I was 7 years old. I struggled with eating, gaining weight, being extremely fatigued and with a general feeling of “brain fog’ when the symptoms were most severe, with cramping, 20+ visits to the bathroom, and utter exhaustion became the norm. 

I had surgical resection of the terminal ileum, removing 24 inches of my bowel at the age of 22. Slowly life returned to a different norm but being out in public required a quick scan for bathroom locations at all times. Sugar, carbonated beverages, dairy, beef, pork and gluten had been eliminated for a healthier gut. Use of L-glutamine powder on a daily basis has been key, acting as a “wall paper paste” to help seal the leaky gut syndrome and assist in nutrient absorption.

Constant lower right quadrant abdominal pain ranging from a 3 out of 10 to a 9.9 out of 10 seemed to be what life would consist of with Crohn’s disease, spastic colon and random spasms.

I was examined by Dr. McDonagh who found evidence of a neurogenic cause to Crohn’s dis. He then gave me 3 small injections in the abdomen and the Crohn’s pain subsided within 30 seconds; immediate relief! I have not had any pain or Crohn’s symptoms since. And importantly, the frequency of bowel movements diminished to 2-4 per day with normal consistency (without any watery mucous stools). Mental clarity and focus have returned. Brain fog is gone and the fatigue reduced as my body healed. For me this was truly life changing. I cannot recommend this enough. The quality of my life has soared. Should the symptoms return I would immediately repeat the injection treatment.

Susan S.

COMMENTS: I treated Susan in 2017 and she had a rapid response with no more symptoms or further treatment. This is now my typical and expected response for Crohn’s. Fatigue and brain fog are often associated with a high level of chronic inflammation. I understand why neither you or your doctor don’t believe my results are possible because traditional treatment is only symptomatic and often surgical, but my fast acting treatment is focused on the abnormal nerve supply that drives the high level of inflammation. I accept that no Crohn’s patient has ever had a rapid and permanent response to Crohn’s like this patient had in my office, but I’ve seen this rapid response in every Crohn’s patient since: Susan was my first Crohn’s patient. It works quickly in every case unless the patient has been taking opioids (usually for pain or diarrhea). Opioids block the C fibers in the nerves that supply the Crohn’s intestine. I’ve only seen one failure, and that was a patient on Opioids who denied it initially: you must be opioid-free for probably 2-3 months.

So, how does it work? Crohn’s disease is a result of a defect in Glycolysis, a biochemical process where glucose is converted to “energy” in the nerves controlling intestinal function. Our entire nervous system is dependent on Glucose for normal function, and glucose is converted into energy by glycolysis. However, if the glycolysis becomes defective, it creates a spike protein which causes intestinal pain and dysfunction, i.e., Crohn’s disease. The injection corrects the defective glycolysis, and the nerve is normalized immediately, and so the Crohn’s energy/stimulus is turned off like flipping a switch. And that’s the end of your Crohn’s !

This same defective glycolysis occurs in many other neurological disorders (MS, Migraine, Neuralgias, Muscular Dystrophy, etc) all of which respond to the same treatment, a dilute dextrose solution injected near or beside the nerve supply without penetrating the nerve with the needle (which could cause further damage). This near nerve injection normalizes the nerve supply immediately, thereby turning OFF the severe pain, usually in less than a minute in Crohn’s. So, the new “take away” principle for neuropathies is that normalizing the nerves can usually normalize all target organs (until proven otherwise; so try it). Now that opens up a whole new idea for treating other Neurological diseases. I turn OFF the nerve-generated pain or dysfunction by correcting the defective glycolysis (in the nerve) injecting a tiny amount of dilute glucose. This is safer, quicker & more reliable.

This treatment is not yet used elsewhere because I haven’t treated enough cases yet to have it published it in a medical journal. This will probably take years to accomplish because these patients have to be followed up over months or years. It could be sooner if I had more Crohn’s patients, but I’m not a gastroenterologist and so I’m not on any referral list to receive Crohn’s patients. So, my progress is blocked. That’s medical politics.

I think some primary care doctors would like to treat Crohn’s this way. So, call me…..(847)612-2737 iPhone for call (voicemail) or text. Crohn’s patients also.//

 

Many doctors and nurses don’t believe that Dextrose Water can do what I’ve described in this website, saying that it is only a placebo, just like “sugar pills, etc. I agree with them but there’s more to it than that. Dilute glucose normalizes dysfunctional nerves, and is the most powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic for neuropathic pain. This was the discovery of Dr. John Lyftogt in NZ, and he’s been teaching it around the world to enthusiastic doctors since 2010. He retired in Oct 2023. Dr.Steven Cavallino, MD is now teaching it in Europe.

An amusing experience: When I meet doctors regarding my work, they often tell me that they don’t believe that Dextrose/Glucose can work as I described, so I tell them that I’d like to test their confidence in their belief system by asking them if they would like to bet me $5,000 that it can’t work. None have ever taken me up on that, but then in good spirits, they ask me to explain HOW it works. 

Now I have included over 25 published Medical References which they can easily verify. The take away lesson is that glucose water can normalize dysfunctional nerves and immediately regenerate the end organ (intestine Crohn’s, traumatic neuropathy expressed as a painful paralysis, to blindness from Glycoma, to dry eye, to Trigeminal neuralgia, to MS, etc. A colleague in St. Louis published an article on his successful treatment of PTSD using Glucose water. 

Crohn's Disease

Wow Dr. McDonagh

I can’t believe it! Best I’ve felt in 25 years. Incredible! What a gift you are!

Jodi

Migraine Pain Testimonial​

I’m in my 50s. I had Migraine since age 13, with 2-3 attacks a month, each lasting 2-3 days. It was debilitating, and I could not function normally. About five years ago I had 2 injection treatments by Dr. McDonagh on the first day, and one treatment the next day. Relief was almost immediately. I’ve had no Migraine medicines since. 

Stephanie S

COMMENT: Her case is typical. Notice that my dextrose injections stopped her pain “almost immediately,” as compared to traditional pain injections in the ER which can take hours to work. My treatment is different because I treat the cause (the low nerve glucose level), and not merely the symptoms (unnecessary, and much less effective). I think most doctors would prefer to treat their patients this way. So, call me if you’re interested. 847.612.2737

Lower Back pain Testimonial​

It must be wonderful to have the ability to completely change another’s life for the better in such a huge way. Getting them out of pain. Just want you to know what I huge difference you have made to my quality of life. No more back pain after 20 years. Thank you, 

Patty

COMMENT: Patty has returned to playing golf too. There are many possible causes of chronic low back pain (CLBP) but the most common and easiest to relieve is caused by the Superior Cluneal Nerve (L3); even Google agrees. The results are immediate.

Joint Pain & Arthritis Testimonial​

For several years I suffered from severe arthritis pain in my right hand & thumb.  Dr Brian McDonagh treated me in 2015. I had 3 treatments in his office and the hand was pain free. The thumb joint pain was persistent and required 3 additional sessions. I am pain free since that time with no additional treatments or medications. I highly recommend him. 

Gerald I.

COMMENT: I treat small joint arthritis using a dilute dextrose solution which is a great anti-inflammatory medicine for small joints. Patients like it when their swollen joints become small again. Their relief is immediate because the needle is so tiny(32G).

Chronic Shoulder Pain​

My mother-in-law suffered with shoulder pain for many years, and no other treatment helped her. She tried orthopedic treatments, physical therapy, massages, many different drugs, to no avail. Three visits with Dr McDonagh and she is pain free for more than 6 months now. I wish I heard about his neuropathy treatments years ago, it’s life changing.

Luciano, Buffalo Grove

 

Chronic Knee Pain​

Traveling overseas to visit my daughter last summer, I found myself grappling with excruciating pain in my right leg and knee, which significantly hindered our mobility and travel plans. The discomfort was so severe that I felt like a burden to my family, especially when it came to walking or traveling. Despite my skepticism, my daughter persuaded me to see Dr. McDonagh for a complimentary consultation. At that point, I was almost resigned to the idea that surgery was my only remaining option.

To my astonishment, during my initial visit, Dr. McDonagh administered injections throughout my afflicted leg and knee. I experienced a slight alleviation of pain on the very first day, but it was the dramatic improvement after the second set of injections that truly took me by surprise. By the third and final day of treatment, I found myself walking normally, entirely free of pain—an outcome I hadn’t dared hope for. In a moment of sheer spontaneity and joy, I even ran across the street to hail our Uber, something I hadn’t done in years. The realization of my newfound mobility moved me to tears.

Seven months have passed since that transformative experience, and I remain completely pain-free. My journey from skepticism to gratitude compels me to recommend Dr. McDonagh unreservedly to anyone suffering from chronic pain. His treatment didn’t just alleviate my pain; it restored my freedom and quality of life.

Jose, visiting Chicago from Brazil.

COMMENT: Try Prolotherapy first even if the surgeon says your joint is too far gone because most of those cases do well with Prolo. I had my own knees injected in 2006, and they’ve been normal ever since. I was so impressed by my response that I decided to get proper training in Prolotherapy so I could offer it to my patients. Then I went on the Medical Missions to Honduras with a group of doctors to offer Prolotherapy. We treated hundreds of arthritic joints there. That clinic began in 1969 and is still in demand today.

John Doe
Designer

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