AcuPractice Seminars is committed to advancing modern healthcare by providing cross-training in acupuncture and dry needling to any healthcare provider who wishes to learn it. Whatever healthcare modality you practice, our experience and teaching methods make it easy for you to incorporate safe, effective acupuncture and dry needling into your practice, in less time–and with less effort–than you might have expected. Our weekend intensive, live-classroom, and distance-learning programs provide you with clear information on highly effective treatments, techniques, and diagnostic skills. With any of our programs you’ll receive training for treating musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, as well a strong foundation for treating many common internal medical conditions.
Whether you call it, “acupuncture,” “medical acupuncture,” “chiropractic acupuncture,” or, “dry needling,” Drs. Jim & Chuck have been practicing and teaching these techniques to healthcare professionals for more than 30 years, and have assembled an experienced, gifted faculty who know what you need to know, and how to teach it.
Our Faculty
Jim Ventresca, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist: Dr. Jim has been a dynamic and engaging acupuncture teacher since 1986. A 1984 graduate and past faculty member of the New England School of Acupuncture, and Southwest Acupuncture College, Dr. Jim earned the terminal degree in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in 2000. He was in the first cadre of Board-Certified Diplomates of Acupuncture in the United States, among the first acupuncturists licensed in the state of Massachusetts, and holds licensure as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine in New Mexico. In addition to practicing in busy clinical settings and teaching Acupuncture and Oriental medicine for over 30 years, Dr. Jim was the Academic Dean for Southwest Acupuncture College, an Instructor for the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture, and a Site Visit Team Leader for the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He held the position of Medical Director for Integrative Medicine, at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Albuquerque, is a co-founder of a publicly funded AIDS Treatment Center, and worked within the criminal justice system in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to establish an Acupuncture-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Program. Dr. Jim is the Principal of AcuPractice Seminars, and a Full Professor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Chuck Ventresca, Doctor of Chiropractic, Licensed Acupuncturist: Dr. Chuck is a duel-licensed Chiropractor and Acupuncturist, with a busy practice. Dr. Chuck’s seminars are packed with practical clinical information, and his teaching style is personable, entertaining, and enlightening. Dr. Chuck is a 1985 graduate of New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) and completed his training in acupuncture at the Tri-State Institute of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture. He is a New York state licensed acupuncturist and a Diplomate in Acupuncture of the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Dr. Chuck served as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences at NYCC, an Instructor for the New Center for Wholistic Health Education and Research, and taught postgraduate courses in Acupuncture and Meridian Therapy at both NYCC and the University of Bridgeport. He has extensive experience working with athletes, treating the NY Jets, the NY Islanders and serving on the medical staff for the US Tennis Open. Dr. Ventresca maintains a full-time practice in Locust Valley, New York, and serves on the Board of Trustees for New York Chiropractic College, Finger Lakes School of Oriental Medicine, and is a Full Professor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with AcuPractice Seminars.
Jean Louis (Lalou) Begue, Licensed Acupuncturist: Lalou is a knowledgeable, and experienced teacher, who has been practicing Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine since 1984. Lalou brings his extensive experience and his pleasant and joyous approach to life into the classroom, to create a wonderful learning experience for all participants. A 1984 graduate the New England School of Acupuncture, Lalou began his studies in Acupuncture in India in 1981, and completed an advanced training in Beijing, China in 1993. He was in the first group of board certified Diplomates of Acupuncture in the US, and one of the first acupuncturists licensed in the state of Massachusetts. In addition to practicing in busy clinical settings for over 30 years, Lalou is a co-founder of a publicly funded AIDS treatment center, in Gloucester MA. Lalou is currently a Full Professor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for AcuPractice Seminars, Acupuncturist/Director at Acupuncture and Health Center, in Beverly, MA, and Staff Acupuncturist; Complementary Care Center, Health Alliance Hospital, Burbank Campus, Fitchburg, MA.
Alexander Davis, Licensed Acupuncturist: Alexander was raised in rural Colorado graduating from the University of Colorado with a combination Pre-Med/ Music degree. The years before Acupuncture school were spent teaching Junior high, high school and college in Science and Outdoor Education. Additionally he spent time working with the Colorado Outward Bound school in Colorado, Utah, Mexico and Alaska as well as traveling for several years in Europe and Asia. Growing up in a medical family and eventually settling on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Alexander received his Masters Degree in Oriental medicine in 2004 from Southwest Acupuncture College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Previously he was an EMT and practiced Rolf Structural Integration (Rolfing). He is licensed in the commonwealth of Virginia, with a busy practice in Roanoke Virginia specializing in pain management, internal medicine and immune deficiency syndromes with Acupuncture, Tui Na, Qi Gong and Chinese herbal medicine. Alexander’s love of Oriental Medicine, together with his background in teaching, make his classes enlightening and enjoyable.
Claudia Welch, Doctor of Oriental Medicine: Dr. Claudia Welch is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and a practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine. An international lecturer and author of Eastern philosophy and medicine, her publications include, “Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life” and “The Four Qualities of Effective Physicians.” Dr. Welch served on the teaching faculty of The Ayurvedic Institute and Southwest Acupuncture College for many years. In addition to a busy international lecture schedule, Dr. Claudia currently teaches for the Kripalu School of Ayurveda and Acupractice Seminars. Dr. Welch is an author and teacher who brings a depth of knowledge and a sense of joy to her presentations.
Maile Ellis, Licensed Acupuncturist, Registered Nurse: Maile Ellis is a Full Professor with AcuPractice Seminars. Maile started her medical career as an acupuncturist, earning her Masters of Oriental Medicine in 2004 from Southwest Acupuncture College. Maile practice acupuncture for 10 years, specializing in stress, anxiety, and pain reduction, before returning to school to earn her nursing degree. Maile earned her ASN in 2013 and her BSN in 2016 and is currently working on her Masters of Nursing degree, with plans to eventually earn her Nurse Practitioner degree. Maile specializes in psychiatric, hospice and travel nursing.
Kevin C. Carter, Doctor of Chiropractic: Dr. Kevin C. Carter of Carter Natural Health Center in Hendersonville, Tennessee takes a whole person approach when caring for his patients. By combining the very best hands-on-techniques, the latest in physiotherapy procedures, acupuncture and nutritional counseling, Dr. Carter is helping his patients to accelerate on their journey to good health and anti-aging. Since graduating from Logan College of Chiropractic in 2000, Dr. Carter has continued his quest to help his patients live a healthier life naturally with his dedication to further studies. His postgraduate work includes: extensive training in Applied Kinesiology, a fellowship from Complementary and Alternative Medicine Institute for acupuncture, and Master Clinician from Ulan Nutritional Services.