Evidence from randomised controlled trials suggests that acupuncture and acupressure may help relieve the symptoms of common colds and flu by:
• enhancing natural killer cell activities and modulating the number and ratio of immune cell types;
• reducing pain through the stimulation of nerves located in muscles and other tissues, which leads to release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors;
• reducing inflammation through the release of vascular and immuno-modulatory factors;
• increasing local microcirculation, which aids dispersal of swelling.
www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/colds-and-flu.html