When you step into the lobby of No 292 Hospital in Beijing, you can often see patients waiting in line outside Dr Wang Wenquan's clinic. The chief physician of the traditional Chinese medicine department is always busy seeing patients.

"Traditional Chinese medicine has a good understanding of the relation of human beings to the natural and social environment," Wang said. "That is why it has become so popular at home and abroad."

Wang's was given the nickname "Wang Yizhen (One Needle)," because many of his patients have been cured with the use of only one needle during acupuncture.

In 1988, Wang began practicing acupuncture in remote areas like Qinghai Province, Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.

Wang has also treated many soldiers. The soldiers called him "the Immortal Doctor of the army."

For the thousands of soldiers stationed in military areas of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, Wang is the doctor they rely on to relieve them of painful ailments.

"Although traditional acupuncture is quite effective in treating disease, it still needs to be much improved," Wang said.

Traditional acupuncture relies on knowledge of collateral channels. Nerves are analyzed to determine the course of acupuncture treatment.

Wang pointed out that all biological systems have the ability to heal themselves naturally.

"Sometimes, the body needs the artificial stimulus of acupuncture to help restore balance to the system," said Wang.

However, he soon found that traditional acupuncture treatment was difficult to apply effectively in combat situations.

"Soldiers would have to roll up their sleeves or trousers," said Wang. "It is unrealistic in battle situations when things need to be done quickly."

Wang recently started a new series of experiments. He examined acupuncture points on himself, measuring them again and again, to select the most effective points.

Wang has made decisive progress - he found points located at the lower jaw. Wang pricked his face hundreds of times to get the exact feeling of the acupuncture.

Through clinical trials, he learned acupuncture can help treat various injuries such as sprains and contusions.

Wang's work has earned him a good reputation both at home and abroad. He is often invited to speak at well-known hospitals. But poor medical services in backward areas of the country have inspired Wang to serve farmers and soldiers.

Drawing on his skill and years of acupuncture experience, Wang organized a series of acupuncture classes to train the doctors in poorer regions . More than 6,000 students have taken his classes since 1988.