A Canadian graduate student in China has delved deep into traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), setting his sights on becoming a cultural liaison for the practice.

At the Acupuncture Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM) in Changsha, Hunan's capital, Canadian-born Martin Haase stands out from the crowd. Each month, he assists his professor in seeing patients and providing acupuncture treatments in the hospital.

"It brings me great satisfaction to provide acupuncture treatment to individuals in China as a foreigner and receive their recognition," said Haase.

Born in 1984 in Victoria, British Columbia, Haase developed a deep interest in martial arts as a child. He took every possible opportunity to learn about China and its culture, and in doing so, he was exposed to TCM.

Haase said he was first introduced to Chinese medicinal practices by a professor from Hunan at a TCM college in Victoria in 2004.

"In Canada, I also successfully assisted others in resolving their pain issues, such as low back pain or cervical spine problems, and the outcomes of the treatments were highly effective," he added.

In 2007, he journeyed to China to study the subject under Professor Zhang Wei, a senior TCM practitioner at the HUCM's First Hospital.

Haase recalled initially struggling to read ancient Chinese medical texts. During classes, he took notes in his native language first and then translated and studied them afterward, seeking guidance from his teachers and classmates if there were any doubts. The diligent student has kept up this manner of study for 17 years.

"When I was first introduced to TCM, I found it very complicated and abstract. I had no idea about the concepts of yin and yang and the element theory. They were a little difficult to understand," he explained.

Now, he has mastered various TCM treatments, including pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, cupping therapy, gua sha massage and tuina massage and gained significant popularity within the foreign community in Changsha as a highly-skilled TCM practitioner. Haase will also receive his master's degree from the HUCM this December and will continue to stay in Changsha to pursue a doctoral degree.

Over the years, under his influence, there has been a steady influx of Canadian students coming to Hunan to study TCM. Currently, he is also in contact with several universities in Canada to establish exchange programs in the TCM field.