15+ Amusing Alternative Medicine Memes

Alternative medicine isn’t something a lot of medical doctors take seriously. It’s got a bit of a bad rep, has some questionable evidence behind its claims and is generally just a bit irritating for anyone who’s ever sat in a pharmacology class.

So perhaps it’s time for a bit more fun at alternative medicine’s expense.

I’ve put 15 (and a couple of bonus) memes together here, in the hopes of bringing a bit of brightness to your doctoring day.

P.S. Don’t get tetchy if you’re in to alt/complementary med – we go after traditional med just as much!

Attributions where possible.

Alternative Medicine Memes

Feel free to share the following on Instagram or even add them as something cool to put into your med-related presentation slides.

1. For The Sake Of Our Family

Sometimes, despite all that schooling, you just have to keep the peace…

2. “Alternative medicine”

I have a feeling the anti-vax movement is going to be a recurring theme here…

3. Gone But Not Forgotten

Yep, didn’t disappoint.

If only they sat in on some microbiology classes…

4. Goodbye Ayurveda…

Familiar meme, unfamiliar concept.

Alternative medicine practicioners aren’t always loyal to their professions. There’s hope yet!

Allopathic = traditional med.

5. The Healing Power Of Crystals

A very important public service announcement!

6. Should Have Gone Into Chiropractic

Chiropractor’s straddle that thin line between half-way legit and full blown quackery.

Although I’d agree they definitely have their place in med, we can still poke fun at them right?

Bonus Chiropractor Meme….Just When You Thought Chiropractors Couldn’t Be More Cringe Worthy

Class hours don’t equal total amount of hours (outside of class) studying for insanely hard exams.

As one Redditor puts it, “heart of a doctor, grades of a communication major that didn’t study.”

7. Alternative Medicine Be Like…

I have to admit, I’m in no hurry to try this….

Got to respect the transparent marketing though.

8. Stabbing Someone Can Make Things Better

Maybe there’s something in acupuncture afterall?

But not according to this Harvard Medical School article [1]:

Unfortunately, many studies show that the potential benefits of acupuncture are short-lived. In my experience, I put acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic interventions in the same bucket. You may feel better for a day or two, but there is limited lasting improvement.

And yes, it does take into account those questionable Chinese studies suggesting otherwise…

Bonus Acupuncture Meme

And also you kinda look like this…

9. Oh Really Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese form of “energy healing” based on qi (“chi”), what practicioners call a “universal life force”.

Wikipedia is pretty brutal about it:

Clinical research does not show reiki to be effective as a treatment for any medical condition, including cancer, diabetic neuropathy, or anxiety and depression, therefore it should not replace conventional medical treatment. There is no proof of the effectiveness of reiki therapy compared to placebo. Studies reporting positive effects have had methodological flaws.

Bonus Reiki Meme

But it can be quite funny!

10. Homeopathy Cures Everything

The NHS website describes homeopathy as:

….a “treatment” based on the use of highly diluted substances, which practitioners claim can cause the body to heal itself.

The quotations say everything you need to know.

About as effective for ailments as it is putting out a fire.

11. Essential Oils?

Even John Hopkins Medicine says “essential oils (aromatherapy) can make a positive impact on your health and well-being as long as you use them in a safe way.”

Can’t imagine this scent would have much impact on the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain though…

Dark Bonus Aromatherapy Meme

And this meme is particularly savage about it.

12. Naturopathy Shots Fired

If you don’t believe drugs can heal diseases then you don’t have to learn any science.

I want to go to that med school instead…

13. The Original “Alternative Medicine”

Back in my day, we scammed people while wearing some really awesome masks…

14. An Anti-vaxxer’s Kids

Say your prayers, take your vitamins and maybe get a vaccine?

15. Responsible Adulting

Not everyone’s against the anti-vax crowd!

Final Thoughts: Alternative Medicine Memes

Complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) are easy cheap shots.

But if it works for you and you find some benefit? Then who am I (or anyone) else to judge.

I’m all for whatever makes you feel better.

If you enjoyed these memes make sure you check out some of these posts too.

• 21 Awesome Emergency Medicine Memes
• 40 Best Medical School Memes of 2020
• 20 Funny Medical School Quotes

Image Credit @enginakyurt at Unsplash