

Brian McDonagh, MD
Neurologist | Vascular Neurology
211 E Ontario St Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60611About
Dr. Brian McDonagh, MD, is a highly experienced physician practicing in Illinois. With over 55 years of experience, he has dedicated his career to the field of restorative medicine. Dr. McDonagh discovered the effectiveness of prolotherapy and neural prolotherapy when seeking treatment for his own painful knees. Impressed by their healing potential, he studied these techniques and became passionate about bringing them to the attention of the general public. Dr. McDonagh utilizes neural prolotherapy to treat various neurologic conditions, including migraine, fibromyalgia, trigeminal neuralgia, CGRP, tennis elbow, and low back pain. He has also made recent advancements in using dextrose injections to improve strength in patients with conditions such as MS and stroke.
Brian McDonagh, MD's Videos
Education and Training
School of Medicine at University College Dublin, Ireland MD 1968
Provider Details

Brian McDonagh, MD's Expert Contributions
Spotlight Video | What Is Multiple Sclerosis? | Brian McDonagh, MD
Brian McDonagh, MD is an established neurologist who sees patients at Neuropathy Medical Center, located in Northbrook, Illinois. Dr. Brian McDonagh, with over 55 years of experience, graduated from the School of Medicine at University College Dublin, Ireland, in 1968. Subsequently, he completed...
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Founder & Medical Director Vein Clinics of America 1981 - 2007
Internships
- Tucson Hospitals Medical Education1970Transitional Year
Professional Society Memberships
- Prolotherapy Association, Nerve Treatment Association
Articles and Publications
- - published in the Journal of Phlebology (out of the UK) - 2002, 2003, 2004- Founder of Vein Clinics of America
What do you attribute your success to?
- curiosity, and I\'m innovative. When I see a treatment that isn\'t working too well, I find out the core of the disease and what they are doing to effect that. You can tell pretty quickly whether it will be a robust thing or not. I\'ve approached quite a bit that way. I always look at problems as opportunities.
Brian McDonagh, MD's Practice location
Vein Clinics of America
1790 Nations Dr Ste 207 -Gurnee, IL 60031Get Direction
Brian McDonagh, MD's reviews
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Renowned Physician’s Revolutionary Approach to Healing Transforms Patient Care Across Illinois
Dr. Brian McDonagh has emerged as a leading figure in the field of restorative medicine, with a career spanning more than three decades and centered in Illinois. Driven by his personal journey to address chronic knee pain, Dr. McDonagh's quest for effective solutions led him to explore innovative therapies such as Prolotherapy and Perineural Injection Therapy (PIT). His pioneering work in these areas has not only transformed his own health but has also revolutionized the treatment of various neurological conditions.
Having discovered the profound benefits of PIT through his experiences, Dr. McDonagh has dedicated himself to advocating for the broader acceptance and utilization of this groundbreaking approach. His expertise now extends to treating a wide range of neurological disorders, including Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease, Migraine, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, among others. By utilizing dextrose injections, Dr. McDonagh has been able to effectively manage pain, correct defective glycolysis, and enhance healing processes in his patients at Neuropathy Medical Center in Northbrook, Illinois.
Dr. McDonagh’s illustrious educational background, which includes graduating from the School of Medicine at University College Dublin, Ireland, and completing training in Rehabilitation Medicine at Wayne State, Detroit, has provided him with a solid foundation for his medical career.
In 1980, driven by his personal experience with varicose veins, Dr. McDonagh established Vein Clinics of America. This groundbreaking initiative shifted the focus from traditional vein stripping surgery to minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided injection treatments, transforming the approach to vein disorder management. His pioneering methods, detailed in a 2002 publication in the Journal of Phlebology, received international acclaim and have since been widely adopted around the globe.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. McDonagh is a multifaceted individual who finds solace in word games, reading, and opera. His diverse interests mirror his holistic approach to life and underscore his commitment to overall well-being.
Dr. Brian McDonagh’s unwavering dedication to innovation, patient care, and healing has established him as a distinguished physician whose contributions continue to shape the landscape of modern medicine.
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