Clients now travel from as far afield as Middlesbrough, Birtley and Peterlee to attend the Chinese Doctor Clinic in Westoe Road, South Shields.

Owner Dr Zhimin Ma, 47, who came to England six years ago, is a highly-qualified expert in traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, massage and herbal medicine.

Despite the recession, the clinic is successfully attracting customers from Monday to Saturday, most drawn by word-of-mouth recommendations.

A medical practitioner in his native China for three years, before completing a further four years' training, Dr Ma – better known to his Geordie customers as Max – has seen his clinic thrive since it was launched the autumn of 2007, with business support from borough enterprise company Tedco.

Dr Ma said: "People come to the clinic for a whole range of problems, from stress to chronic bronchitis to arthritis, obesity and migraine."

A 72-year-old South Shields female pensioner, who was being treated at the clinic for long-term back and hip pain, told the Gazette: "I was sceptical at first about acupuncture, but after a few sessions, I'm in a lot less pain."

Dr Ma, who runs his South Shields clinic with secretarial support from his wife, Xiaojing Liu, 39, worked for other health clinics, in Eldon Square, Newcastle, and later in King Street, South Shields, before becoming self-employed.

And he is hopeful about the future: "Despite the present economic situation, I still have some very regular clients and would like to expand the business over the next few years."

Call the Chinese Doctor Clinic on 455 8880.