Everyday Health

Talk about tried and true: Acupressure has been part of Chinese medicine for more than 5,000 years and it's still used throughout the world. This health-enhancing therapy is often confused with acupuncture, a similar and equally ancient practice that employs needles instead of pressure to target the same areas. Check out these fun facts:

- Shiatsu massage, a common offering at many spas, is actually a Japanese form of acupressure.

- Today, 8.2 million Americans rely on acupuncture to treat aches and pains, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

- There are more than 400 acupressure points that can help treat more than 4,000 symptoms.

-The earliest known sign of acupressure dates back to 3000 B.C. Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,000-year-old European mummy found preserved in an Alpine glacier, had acupressure point tattoos on his body.