Name:  Dave Rodrigues
Business:  AcupressureWesternMA.com
Physical Address (street, city):  131 Main St Hatfield, MA
Years in business:  23
What do you offer and to whom? Acupressure for wellness, back and neck pain, autoimmune conditions, stress reduction, menstrual discomfort.  I work with people from 1yr- 90’s.
Why? What motivates you?  From the first time I tried acupressure (out of a book) for a friend with severe menstrual cramps/ bloating/ back pain, and found it to be easy and enjoyable AND really effective, I have been happily exploring the limits of drug free bodywork!   Over the years, I’ve met:

• many people that ended up with complications from over the counter pain medicines
• folks who simply wanted to learn self-treatment techniques
• people looking for alternatives to back surgery
• For those that I have been able to help, I ask myself how many more people I can help in my lifetime

What sets you apart?  I’m not hung up on “clinical” bedside manner.  I don’t see myself as better or smarter than the people I serve.  I pride myself on being approachable, someone you can talk to. I genuinely like what I do, and the people I do it for.  I love to talk about what I’ve seen that works, even if it seems as mundane as a sinus cold.  I really enjoy it when someone tells me they’ve been using techniques on themselves and family members and friends.

What mark do you hope to make on your community?  I want people to understand that there are aspects of acupressure that are just as accessible as home gardening or canning/cooking.  Nothing would make me happier than seeing acupressure for menstrual problems as a household skill!

Website:  https://acupressurewesternma.com/
How people can contact you:  Phone: 413-575-5947
Email: acudaverod@gmail.com
Voices of the Valley is compiled by Janice Beetle of Beetle Press in Easthampton, a PR and communications firm. www.beetlepress.com. To suggest a subject for this feature, email Beetle at janice@beetlepress.com.