This is what happens when your Asian doctor dad bans you from studying medicine

Imagine telling your parents that you want to pursue music as a career. You can almost guarantee that they’d let out a big sigh, then tell you not to. And if you’re Asian, you’d get the lecture of your life.

Some are lucky enough to have understanding parents who will support their musical career, regardless of the outcome.

But Meeshanth Gunainthran‘s case is a unique one.

Despite being in a house full of medical practitioners – his father and older sister are doctors, his younger sister is a nurse – Gunainthran’s parents insist he pursue anything but a career in healthcare or medicine.

“You know what’s funny? Because my parents are so against us going to the medical field, especially my dad, because he knows how stressful studying for medicine and studying in the healthcare field can be,” the Malaysian says. “So he’s always saying don’t study medicine, don’t become a doctor, just do something else, do whatever you want to do, just don’t become a doctor!”

Meeshanth Gunainthran defied his parents’ wishes not to go into the medical field by pursuing a master’s degree in chiropractic. Source: Meeshanth Gunainthran

Music degree: ‘The right choice for me’

So, with that green light, Gunainthran went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music at JMC Academy, Australia’s leading creative industries institution.

It was the Bachelor of Music with major in Contemporary Performance, to be exact, where he learned not just to perform but to utilise the tools to promote himself as an artist and stand out in this competitive industry.

Although beneficial to his musical endeavours, the knowledge and skills he gained were not the main thing he was seeking from his degree. It was the environment surrounded by creative people, made up of musicians and producers.

“It really pushed me to grow a lot faster than I would have if I were just doing it on my own,” he says. “It was the right choice for me because I had a lot of opportunities to develop and grow, both musically and professionally, and personally as well.”

However, after graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 2017, he realised something that would change the trajectory of his career.

Meeshanth Gunainthran’s sudden jump from music to chiropractic was met with great support from his family of medical practitioners. Source: Meeshanth Gunainthran

From music to a surprising new field

He defied his parents’ wishes and got into the health science field anyway.

“Music was a really big passion of mine. I really enjoyed doing it. I enjoyed the journey and all of that,” he says. “But over time, I think I started to feel like I wanted to do something bigger, if that makes sense, like something that tries to help people make a difference in their lives.”

Which is why he decided to pursue chiropractic.

Admittedly, an unorthodox choice within the medical and healthcare field, but chiropractic stood out to Gunainthran because it combines science with a very hands-on approach, allowing him to work closely with people.

With a new mission in mind, Gunainthran went on to pursue a Master of Chiropractic degree at the University of South Wales. Here, he learns to develop his skills and anatomical knowledge while also training to collaborate with healthcare professionals and solve complex problems affecting a patient’s body.

“Music is always something that I will love. It’s still a big part of who I am,” Meeshanth Gunainthran says. Source: Meeshanth Gunainthran

Which country offers good chiropractic degrees?

Although Australia has institutions that offer a master’s degree in chiropractic, such as CQUniversity and Macquarie University, Gunainthran decided to venture further north to the UK, specifically Wales, largely because of friends’ testimonies about studying there.

Gunainthran’s sudden jump from music to chiropractic was met with great support from his family of medical practitioners, though his father still hopes otherwise.

“He’s not disappointed, but he always reminds me, once you’re finished with chiropractic, just try to produce more music, do more music on the side,” he says.

Set to graduate in June 2026, Gunainthran is enjoying every moment as a chiropractor and thinks that his decision to enter the field is the right one.

“I’m really happy where I’m at right now,” he says. “Music is always something that I will love. It’s still a big part of who I am, and I don’t regret switching paths.”