Shanan Munoz, M.D.

Meet Dr. Munoz

Multiple Sclerosis Specialist in Dallas

Neurologist and multiple sclerosis specialist Shanan Munoz, M.D., is more than a doctor to her patients. After 25 years in practice, she has become a supporter, motivator, educator, and friend to many. Her goal: to treat the whole person and help patients function at the best of their ability.

“Medications are helpful and wonderful, but they can take you only so far,” Dr. Munoz says. “I offer a more comprehensive approach to care. I work with my patients to help them do the things they want to do in life. I encourage exercise, a Mediterranean diet, certain vitamins, education, humor, hope, and a positive attitude, in addition to the medical treatments we provide.”

As a leading expert in the field, Dr. Munoz is often interviewed about MS. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal for her views on treating the total person. She’s also been on radio and television to promote the “You Can Do It” attitude with singer David Osmond, who has MS and composed a song with that title dedicated to MS patients. Univision interviewed her to learn about some of the challenges of diagnosing and treating MS in Hispanics. In 2015, she was the medical speaker for an event to educate about MS in Ft. Worth, which featured country music star Clay Walker, who has been performing for many years despite having MS.

Access to the Latest Treatments

Multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system that causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body, may cause a wide variety of symptoms, some of which could disrupt patients’ daily lives. Treatments can help relieve symptoms, such as pain, spasms, tingling, and medicines may delay disease progression and decrease the number of relapses a patient experiences. 

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Munoz and her colleagues have access to the latest MS treatments through clinical trials before they are widely available elsewhere. Once new medications are approved by the FDA, UT Southwestern is among the first to begin using them because of our experience and knowledge.

“There are far more medication options now than there used to be,” Dr. Munoz notes. “I work with all of my patients to make sure they are on the right one for their disease and their lifestyle. It takes experience on behalf of the doctor and listening to your patients to find what works best for their condition and doesn’t have a negative impact on their quality of life.”

Once a treatment plan is in place, Dr. Munoz can help patients get more control back in their lives if they’ve lost some of it due to MS.

“Maybe you need a ramp or rails to help you get in and out of your house or physical therapy to build up more strength so you can go places you miss going,” she says. “Together, we can figure out what you need, and I can help you get it.”