Vitality Unleashed: The Functional Medicine Podcast

Beyond Belief: How Acupuncture Actually Works

• Dr. Kumar from LifeWellMD.com • Season 1 • Episode 87

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The mysterious world of acupuncture is undergoing a scientific revolution that's turning ancient wisdom into cutting-edge biology. What was once dismissed as merely placebo effect now has compelling physical evidence thanks to groundbreaking discoveries about the primovascular system (PVS) – a network of tiny vessels and nodes that corresponds remarkably with traditional acupuncture points and meridians.

This fascinating journey begins in the 1960s with Korean scientist Bong-Han Kim, who first identified physical structures at acupuncture points. His work vanished into obscurity until the early 2000s when modern researchers rediscovered and confirmed his findings using advanced visualization techniques. The challenge was immense – these transparent, microscopic structures are easily overlooked without specialized staining methods and high-powered microscopy.

What makes this discovery truly revolutionary is what researchers found inside this system: stem cells capable of regeneration and repair. The PVS contains unique "primomicrocells" – tiny pluripotent stem cells that appear to travel through this network to areas needing healing. This provides a compelling biological explanation for acupuncture's therapeutic effects that goes well beyond belief or placebo. The system spans your entire body – beneath the skin, within blood vessels, around organs, and even through the nervous system – creating an integrated network for communication and healing.

The implications extend far beyond validating an ancient practice. Understanding this hidden biological system could transform our approach to regenerative medicine, cancer treatment, and our fundamental understanding of the body's self-healing capabilities. Most remarkably, this critical research remains largely unknown in conventional medicine, creating a significant gap between cutting-edge science and clinical practice.

At LifeWellMD, we're passionate about bridging this gap by incorporating this scientific understanding into our comprehensive approach to wellness and longevity. By embracing both time-honored practices and emerging scientific evidence, we offer you the most effective pathways to optimal health. Discover how our advanced acupuncture therapy, informed by this groundbreaking science, can help unlock your body's remarkable potential for healing. Call us today at 561-210-9999 to begin your journey toward science-backed wellness.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your supplement regimen or health routine. Individual needs and reactions vary, so it’s important to make informed decisions with the guidance of your physician.

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Stay Informed, Stay Healthy:
Remember, informed choices lead to better health. Until next time, be well and take care of yourself.

Speaker 1:

acupuncture, age-old practice or cutting-edge science? You know, for a long time it's felt a bit like well a mystery. But what if I told you that exciting new scientific discoveries are actually revealing the very physical mechanisms behind how it works? We're moving way beyond just thinking. It's all about belief.

Speaker 2:

That's exactly right, and what's really remarkable is that the information we've been looking into focuses precisely on this transformation the growing scientific understanding of acupuncture.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

We're not just discussing ancient traditions anymore. We're actually uncovering the real biological systems that could explain its effects.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely. And this deep dive is especially for you to explore this fascinating science with us here at LifeWellMD down in sunny Florida our whole team, you know inspired by Dr Coomer's vision for health, wellness and longevity Right. We're really dedicated to bringing you the most scientifically sound and well effective treatments. We truly believe that understanding this science can empower you in your own pursuit of well-being.

Speaker 2:

And if we tie this into the bigger picture, at LifeWellMD, our approach is all about bringing together, you know, the best of both worlds time-honored practices but supported by really strong scientific evidence. Exactly so this investigation into the physical workings of acupuncture. It fits perfectly with that philosophy, doesn't?

Speaker 1:

it. It really does. So our mission today is clear we're diving deep into the scientific evidence for how acupuncture might actually work, and we're focusing on a fascinating system called the primovascular system. Okay, let's unpack this. For a long time, the traditional understanding of acupuncture has centered on meridians and acupoints, these energetic pathways and specific locations on the body.

Speaker 2:

The T-flow and all that.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

And this leaves us to consider how did that traditional view connect with what modern science is now finding?

Speaker 1:

Great question.

Speaker 2:

While the idea of meridians as energy channels has been key to traditional practice, the emerging scientific view is identifying actual physical structures that seem to correspond to these locations and pathways.

Speaker 1:

Okay, here's where it gets really interesting. Way back in the 1960s, a Korean scientist named Bong-Han Kim made some well truly groundbreaking observations. He identified specific structures that appeared to be linked to these very acupoints and meridians.

Speaker 2:

What made Bong-Han Kim's work so significant is that he wasn't just theorizing. He was actually seeing physical entities. He named the structures under the acupoints as Bong-Han corpuscles.

Speaker 1:

Corpuscles.

Speaker 2:

And the meridian-like pathways as Bong-Han ducts, and he considered these to be part of a larger system he called the Kungrak or Bong-Han system.

Speaker 1:

And this system wasn't just on the surface right. It was found in various places throughout the body.

Speaker 2:

Precisely. Kim described both superficial systems right beneath the skin and deeper systems. These were found within our blood and lymph vessels, on the surface of and inside our organs, and even within the nervous system itself. Wow yeah, it suggests a much more integrated and widespread network than we previously knew about.

Speaker 1:

But it wasn't exactly a straightforward path for his discoveries, was it? It sounds like his work kind of faded from view for a while.

Speaker 2:

That's a really important point. Yeah, Reproducing his findings turned out to be quite difficult for a number of reasons. The detailed methods he used for staining and visualization weren't always clearly documented and, tragically, the institution where he worked closed down in the mid-1960s and his own whereabouts became unknown. Oh so this combination of unclear methodology and his disappearance contributed to his findings being largely overlooked by the broader scientific community for decades. It's an example of how sometimes even groundbreaking work can face significant hurdles.

Speaker 1:

But then fast forward about 40 years and a new group of Korean scientists picked up where he left off, right.

Speaker 2:

Exactly Around the start of the new millennium, maybe early 2000s, korean scientists decided to reinvestigate Kim's original work and, using modern techniques, they were actually able to confirm the existence of these very structures he had described decades earlier.

Speaker 1:

And that's when the term primovascular system, or PVS, started to be used.

Speaker 2:

Yes, In 2002, Kwon Soop so, who was a leading researcher in this reinvestigation, he coined the term primovascular system. The primo nodes correspond to Kim's Bonghan corpuscles.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 2:

And the primo vessels to his Bonghan ducts. This new name really helped to sort of reignite research in this fascinating area.

Speaker 1:

So for many years, actually seeing this system was a major challenge, it sounds like, beyond using this somewhat mysterious blue dye that Kim mentioned, mysterious blue dye that Kim mentioned.

Speaker 2:

You're absolutely right. The initial attempts by scientists in like Germany, japan and China to replicate Kim's work had varied levels of success, and often the methods they used weren't detailed enough or maybe the results weren't widely published.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

For instance, one early German study just looked at tissue samples without first isolating the PVS, and well, they didn't find conclusive evidence. It was like looking for a specific thread in a complex tapestry without knowing exactly what you're looking for.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, Makes sense. But the scientific effort to visualize this system using modern tools really gained momentum with the development of new techniques, didn't it?

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. The development of new methods for isolating and then visualizing the PVS was a critical breakthrough. This included using specific sugar solutions like dextrose, contrast-enhancing optical techniques and various specialized dyes and staining methods.

Speaker 1:

Like what kind of dyes?

Speaker 2:

Think of dyes like acridine orange, or a combination of mares, hematocalin and fulgine, alcin blue, triphen blue, janus green. Each of these helped to make the very fine structures of the PVS more visible under the microscope.

Speaker 1:

And it's so important to understand that without these specific staining techniques, the PVS could easily be mistaken for something else entirely right, Like just regular old fibrin threads from blood clotting.

Speaker 2:

That's a key distinction exactly. Researchers discovered that the PVS doesn't break down in heparin solutions, unlike fibrin threads, so that became an important way to tell them apart, ah, clever. Plus for the PVS found inside blood vessels. Its transparent walls made it even harder to see without these special stains.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so scientists could finally see it. What does this primovascular system actually look like on a larger scale? What are its main you know, visible features?

Speaker 2:

Macroscopically, so what you can sort of see. Both the superficial PVS, just under the skin, and the deeper PVS are made up of two main parts.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

The primo vessels and the primo nodes.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 2:

These nodes are connected by the vessels and at the nodes you often see the vessels branching out and then coming back together, forming this network structure.

Speaker 1:

And these structures are incredibly small, which is why they were so difficult to spot without specialized equipment.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. Primo vessels are generally described as semi-transparent, almost like very fine threads. The deep primo nodes, which are essentially wider parts of these vessels, can be a few millimeters long, but like less than a millimeter wide Tiny yeah. Studies on the surface of rat organs have even shown nodes that are smaller. In rabbits. These deeper nodes tend to be elongated or oval in shape and have a slightly milky appearance.

Speaker 1:

So isolating them and seeing them clearly requires a very delicate touch and some really advanced technology.

Speaker 2:

Precisely High resolution optical imaging systems and highly skilled microsurgery techniques are essential for isolating the PBS so it can be studied. We also know that primo vessels located inside lymphatic vessels in rabbits are typically around 20 to 30 micrometers in diameter.

Speaker 1:

Wow, micrometers which?

Speaker 2:

is incredibly tiny. On rat organ surfaces they can be a bit wider, maybe 40 to 100 micrometers. Rat organ surfaces that can be a bit wider, maybe 40 to 100 micrometers, and, interestingly, injecting certain dyes can actually make these vessels swell slightly, which makes them easier to see.

Speaker 1:

And there's also this primo fluid inside these vessels which seems to have some really unique characteristics.

Speaker 2:

Yes, the primo fluid. It's a circulating liquid that's rich in nucleic acids, particularly DNA.

Speaker 1:

DNA Interesting.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, this high concentration of DNA is why primo vessels stain so positively with those dyes we mentioned earlier, like Fulgin and Acridine Orange. Additionally, the fluid contains a lot of hyaluronic acid, which explains why it also stains positively with Alcyon Blue.

Speaker 1:

Okay, Now if we zoom in even further, what does the PVS look like under a really powerful microscope? What are the key microscopic details?

Speaker 2:

Microscopically, a single primo vessel can contain anywhere from one to as many as 20 smaller channels or ductules. They're also called primolumens.

Speaker 1:

Ductules Okay.

Speaker 2:

These ductules vary in size. The smaller ones are around 6 to 10 micrometers in diameter, and the larger ones might range from 30 to 50 micrometers. So still incredibly small, much smaller than most of our individual cells.

Speaker 1:

And the cells that line these ductules. They have some very specific features, don't they?

Speaker 2:

They do. The ductules are lined by cells that resemble endothelial cells which normally line blood vessels, but these PVS cells, they don't have the typical tight junctions or gap junctions you'd find in regular blood vessel linings Correct, and they don't have a complete basement membrane. Their nuclei, the control centers, are rod-shaped and quite elongated, like 10, 20 micrometers long.

Speaker 1:

And marker-wise.

Speaker 2:

Interestingly, they show the presence of von Willebrand factor, which is usually found in endothelial cells, but they don't show CD31, another common endothelial marker. So it's a bit unique.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

Some studies have even suggested there might be a double layer of cells lining these ductules an inner layer of endothelial-like cells and an outer layer of epithelial-like cells. Still being researched, though.

Speaker 1:

What else is found inside these primo vessels? It sounds like they're not just hollow tubes.

Speaker 2:

Exactly Between these ductules, researchers have observed fiber-like structures that resemble fibrin, as well as a kind of amorphous or sort of shapeless intercellular substance.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 2:

Crucially, they've also found basophilic granules. These are thought to be DNA granules or possibly very small cell-like structures called seniles or primomicrocells.

Speaker 1:

Primomicrocells. We'll come back to those.

Speaker 2:

Yes, and there are also nucleus-like bodies within the ductules themselves.

Speaker 1:

And the primo nodes themselves. They have a complex internal structure too, it seems.

Speaker 2:

Yes, the deep primo nodes are covered by a thin membrane which also appears to have that inner endothelial-like layer and an outer epithelial-like layer.

Speaker 1:

And inside.

Speaker 2:

Inside they contain a whole variety of cells, Things like mast cells, histiocytes, different types of blood cells, granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, all embedded in that intercellular substance we mentioned Right. Importantly, they also contain immature round cells that are thought to be hematopoietic stem cells, the kind that can develop into blood cells Stem cells okay. And a significant number of chromatin cells, plus those very small embryonic stem-like cells, the primomicro cells.

Speaker 1:

There they are again.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, these cells can be scattered throughout the node or found in clusters near small channels or ductules within the nodes themselves, and these internal ductules, also lined by endophilia-like cells, can also contain those basophilic granules.

Speaker 1:

Okay, this is where it gets really exciting for us at LifeWellMD, because the research strongly suggests the presence of stem cells within this primovascular system. This could really change how we think about the body's ability to heal and regenerate, which is so central to our focus on wellness and longevity right.

Speaker 2:

This is indeed a potentially revolutionary aspect of the PBS.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely. Studies have identified various types of stem cells, including the primo microcells. We've been talking about what appear to be hematopoietic stem cells and get this even cancer stem cells in individuals with cancer.

Speaker 2:

Wow.

Speaker 1:

This opens up entirely new avenues for understanding how the body maintains itself and how diseases might develop and potentially spread.

Speaker 2:

Let's focus on these primo micro cells for a moment. What makes them so potentially important?

Speaker 1:

Well, several studies have indicated that primo micro cells express markers that are typically found on pluripotent stem cells. Now, pluripotent basically means these cells have the remarkable ability to develop into many different types of cells in the body.

Speaker 2:

Like master keys Exactly Like a master key that can unlock many different doors. These primo microcells are also very small, typically ranging from one to five micrometers in size. Genie, tiny, very. One study identified cells with a specific marker called CD133 as primo microcells, noting their unique nuclear characteristics.

Speaker 1:

However, it's important to mention the number of these specific cells found in that study was quite low, so it highlights this is still an area of active research found in that study was quite low, so it highlights this is still an area of active research and there's ongoing research looking at even smaller primo microcells and the specific identification tags or markers that they carry Exactly.

Speaker 2:

Other research has pointed to the existence of even smaller primo microcells, maybe around one to two micrometers in diameter, and when scientists have looked at the genetic material from whole primo vessel extracts using a technique called RT-PCR, they found evidence of various pluripotent stem cell markers. But again, a small caution it's important to remember these markers might not be exclusively found on primo microcells alone. They could be present on other components within the vessel as well.

Speaker 1:

Right, context matters, but the really significant implication here is their potential role in helping the body heal and regenerate damaged tissues. Right.

Speaker 2:

That's the exciting hypothesis. Yes, primo, microcells are believed to have the ability to travel through the PVS to sites of tissue or organ damage and contribute to repair, much like the resident stem cells that are already present in those tissues.

Speaker 1:

So they travel to where they're needed.

Speaker 2:

That's the idea. Yeah, they've even been observed exhibiting what's called Brownian motion, a kind of random jiggling movement within the primo fluid, and, interestingly, their movement increases when exposed to UVA light. Strange, yeah, we're still understanding exactly what that means physiologically, but it suggests the dynamic and potentially responsive system.

Speaker 1:

There seems to be some debate within the scientific community about the exact nature of these primo-microcells, though, with some suggesting they might be very small, embryonic-like stem cells or even something else entirely. It really highlights how new this area of research is.

Speaker 2:

That's a valid point. Because of their very small size and the finding of fragmented DNA in some studies, some researchers have proposed they might be very small, embryonic-like or via cell stem cells, which were initially described in bone marrow. However, the existence and characteristics of via cells themselves have been a topic of ongoing discussion in the scientific community. So it's layered.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

It's also been suggested that primal microcells could potentially be apoptotic bodies. It's also been suggested that premom microcells could potentially be apoptotic bodies, remnants of cells undergoing programmed cell death, or even large microvesicles, which are small membrane-bound sacs released by cells. So yeah, the precise nature is still a subject of active investigation at science.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely Part of the process. But the PVS doesn't just seem to contain these premom microcells. There's also evidence of other types of stem cells as well.

Speaker 2:

Yes, Studies have indicated the presence of adult pluripotent and hematopoietic stem cells within the PVS. This raises the intriguing possibility that the intravascular PVS, the part within our blood vessels, might play a role in hematopoiesis.

Speaker 1:

Blood cell formation.

Speaker 2:

The formation of blood cells?

Speaker 1:

yeah, Potentially even outside of the bone marrow.

Speaker 2:

One study highlighted the isolation of a specific type of stem cell called SCA1 plus LYNCD45 from mouse PVS. They found them at a much higher rate than they're found in bone marrow.

Speaker 1:

Really.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and these cells showed the presence of pluripotent markers, didn't show signs of cell death, could multiply and form clusters in lab cultures and even demonstrated the ability to develop into neurons and potentially help repair brain damage from stroke in mice.

Speaker 1:

That's incredible. The potential for future cell-based therapies is huge, although the challenge of being able to harvest these cells without causing harm to the donor is definitely something to consider.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. While the potential for therapeutic applications is significant, the current methods for isolating PVS stem cells are invasive and could potentially cause harm. That underscores the need for developing less invasive techniques in the future a big hurdle.

Speaker 1:

The research also touches on a potential connection between the PVS and cancer.

Speaker 2:

Yes, unfortunately, animal studies suggest that tumor cells might be able to use the PVS as a pathway to spread or metastasize to other parts of the body. Oh dear, there's also evidence that the growth of new PVS networks around tumors might actually happen before the growth of new blood vessels, a process called neovascularization.

Speaker 1:

That's significant.

Speaker 2:

It is, Furthermore, human. Tumor-derived stem cells have actually been found within the PVS, suggesting that it could potentially provide a supportive environment or niche for cancer stem cells. Understanding this could lead to new ways to target cancer spread. Hopefully.

Speaker 1:

And there's this fascinating concept of spiroces, the development of these microcells. Can you touch on that?

Speaker 2:

Right sclerosis, the development of microcells, termed spirocists, appears to be a distinct process from regular cell death or apoptosis. While microcells are found in tumor tissue, researchers have also developed technologies to create artificial microcells for delivering genetic material into cells. This raises the intriguing question of whether a similar natural mechanism might exist within the PVS for the purpose of tissue repair and regeneration. It's another area where well more research is definitely needed.

Speaker 1:

Finally, there's the question of how these primo-microcells themselves are generated and multiply. How does that work?

Speaker 2:

Good question. Observations in cell culture have shown primo-microcells exhibiting thread-like extensions, sort of butting off new cells and even fusing together to form larger structures. However, these mechanisms don't perfectly align with the typical ways human cells proliferate. They more closely resemble processes seen in simpler organisms like, say, yeast.

Speaker 1:

Interesting comparison.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, there's also a hypothesis that primo microcells might originate from apoptotic cells that somehow managed to avoid being cleared away by the immune system. So the exact organs and mechanisms of proliferation of these fascinating microcells are still very much under investigation. Lots to learn.

Speaker 1:

So bringing it back to LifeWellMD's core focus on enhancing your well-being and promoting longevity, this exciting new understanding of the PVS and the stem cells it contains could truly revolutionize how we approach healing, regeneration and, ultimately, our overall health.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely.

Speaker 1:

This knowledge underscores the body's incredible innate capacity for self-repair.

Speaker 2:

Exactly for self-repair. Exactly If we connect this to the bigger picture of health and longevity. The PVS, with its potential role in tissue repair and regeneration through stem cells, presents a new frontier in our understanding of how the body maintains and heals itself.

Speaker 1:

This knowledge could inform the development of really innovative therapeutic strategies in the years to come, and it strongly suggests that there is a real physical, biological basis for the positive effects that people experience with acupuncture. It moves it from a purely theoretical or belief-based explanation into the realm of actual science. This is something we at LifeWellMD find incredibly exciting, because it aligns perfectly with our commitment to evidence-based practices. It also highlights something important, which is that many in the conventional medical community may still be unaware of this growing body of scientific evidence supporting acupuncture.

Speaker 2:

That leads us to a critical point why isn't this groundbreaking research more widely known and integrated into mainstream medicine? The reality is, many physicians are likely unaware of the significant scientific work that has confirmed the existence and potential of the primovascular system.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

We believe it's really crucial to bridge this gap between cutting-edge research and clinical practice to benefit patient care.

Speaker 1:

So for you listening, the key takeaway here is the existence of this primovascular system, a physical network within your body that contains stem cells and appears to play a vital role in regeneration and overall health.

Speaker 2:

It's a whole new layer of biology.

Speaker 1:

Exactly. This offers a powerful scientific lens through which we can understand how acupuncture, a therapy we offer here at LifeWellMD, might be working to promote healing and well-being. It's no longer just about belief. It's about understanding the body's own intricate systems.

Speaker 2:

It really makes you wonder about the incredible potential of the body that we are only just beginning to understand, doesn't it? It does. This research encourages us to look beyond conventional explanations and embrace the exciting discoveries that science is revealing about our own innate healing capabilities.

Speaker 1:

As you consider your own wellness journey. We encourage you to think about this new scientific perspective on acupuncture and its potential benefits. Be open to the possibilities that modern science is uncovering about this ancient practice. At LifeWellMD, we are dedicated to staying at the forefront of this research and integrating it into our patient care.

Speaker 2:

And if we connect this back to LifeWellMD, our commitment is to provide you with therapies that are not only based on solid evidence, but are also at the leading edge of scientific discovery. We believe in empowering you with knowledge about how your body functions and how different modalities like acupuncture can support your health in scientifically validated ways.

Speaker 1:

That's why, at LifeWellMD, dr Kumar and our entire team are deeply committed to integrating this cutting-edge scientific understanding into our comprehensive health, wellness and longevity programs. That includes our advanced acupuncture therapies. Right, we're passionate about offering you a science-backed approach to achieving optimal health and vitality. We really believe that understanding the science empowers you to make informed decisions about your care.

Speaker 2:

This brings up an important point for you, our listener how can this new understanding of your body's inherent regenerative systems influence your choices about your own health and well-being? Could exploring options like acupuncture, now understood through a scientific lens, be a valuable step in your journey towards better health and longevity?

Speaker 1:

We invite you to take the next step in your wellness journey today. Call LifeWellMD at 561-210-9999. That's 561-210-9999. To schedule a consultation or just learn more about our science-backed services, including our advanced acupuncture therapy.

Speaker 2:

Our team is there to help.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely. Our team is here to help you unlock your body's full potential for health, healing and lasting well-being.

Speaker 2:

Which leads to a final thought-provoking question for you to ponder If the body possesses this intricate physical system dedicated to healing and regeneration, a system directly linked to a therapy like acupuncture, what other hidden biological networks are just waiting to be discovered, and how could understanding them fundamentally transform our approach to health and maybe even the very limits of human potential?