The Team
Who We Are
CARLOS SESSLER
Acupuncture Physician, Sports Acupuncturist, & Neuromuscular Reintegration Therapist
My path to acupuncture was anything but conventional. After earning my Physical Therapist Assistant degree, I spent over twelve years as a personal assistant to the CEO of a television company — a role that demanded absolute attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and the ability to execute flawlessly under pressure. That experience shaped me in ways I still draw on every day in clinical practice.
When that chapter of my life came to an unexpected close, I turned back to what had always called to me: helping people heal. I began as a licensed massage therapist, and working with people through bodywork deepened that calling. I went on to study Traditional Chinese Medicine at Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine before completing my Master's Degree in Acupuncture at the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Gainesville, Florida — a training that gave me a rich foundation in both classical TCM and the profound mind-body-spirit framework of Five Element medicine.
I have been a licensed Acupuncture Physician in Florida since 2012. In Florida, Acupuncture Physicians are trained in and licensed to perform Acupuncture Injection Therapy — and it is a modality I use regularly as part of a comprehensive approach to care. I also hold a certification in Chinese Herbal Studies. At Bodies In Balance Acupuncture, I work with the full spectrum of what life brings people through the door — and while treating the body is where my heart lives most, I have a deep appreciation for the patients who come in quietly carrying stress, anxiety, and the weight of simply trying to keep up with their lives. That kind of suffering deserves the same care and precision as any physical injury.
My greatest professional passion is working with athletes. I have supported collegiate and professional athletes at some of the most demanding competitions in the world — from NCAA programs to NFL players to international track and field events across Europe, Asia, and beyond, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. The environment of elite sport, where precision and performance matter enormously, is one I feel completely at home in. Whatever brings you to Bodies In Balance, you will be met with that same standard of care.
DEETA WIDMER ADKINS
Acupuncture Physician & Structural Integration Therapist
In my 26 year career in acupuncture and over 34 years of experience in structural integration massage therapy, I have developed a focus on injury recovery, sports acupuncture, post-surgical recovery, scar management, and assisting people in making significant improvements with chronic issues and their health. The powerful effects of acupuncture, coupled with a background in deep tissue work, has allowed me to assist patients in resetting and improving chronic pain patterns and postural issues, as well as helping relieve discomfort due to surgical scaring.
My passion is the connection between musculature and the fascial chains of the body, and helping correct the dysfunctions that can happen between them. I enjoy collaborating with patients going through cancer treatments. I’ve had extensive training in the use of nutrition, supplementation and acupuncture to help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
I am passionate and empathetic about my patients' well-being and their journey to wellness. My specialties include Sports Acupuncture, scar tissue and post-surgical recovery, cancer treatment support, and Connective Tissue Therapy.
ERICA WILLIAMS
Office Manager & Clinic Coordinator
I have been an integral part of this practice since 2018, and watching us grow together over the years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. With a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, I bring both knowledge and heart to everything I do.
As Clinic Coordinator, I am the first point of contact for many of our patients, and I take great pride in connecting each individual with the appropriate provider for their treatment. My role as scheduler also means I work to keep the practice running smoothly behind the scenes — coordinating appointments with care and precision so that every patient receives timely, seamless access to the treatment they need.
What I love most about what I do is the people. Laughter is my love language, and I bring that warmth and positivity into every patient interaction. Being the person who helps our patients find balance in their bodies and in their lives does not feel like work to me — it feels like a calling.
This practice is more than just a workplace to me. It is a place where I have grown professionally and personally, and I pour that dedication into every single day. I look forward to being a welcoming and familiar face for every patient who walks through our doors.
RYAN CALLAHAN
Acupuncture Physician & Massage Therapist, MA 95856
I began my career in massage therapy in 2008, graduating from the Florida School of Massage with a focus on deep tissue and neuromuscular techniques. After several years in practice, I stepped away to serve in the U.S. military — an experience that deepened my understanding of physical resilience and what the body is truly capable of under pressure.
Returning to civilian life, I pursued a degree in Exercise Science from the College of Charleston before following my interest in whole-person care into acupuncture. I trained at the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Gainesville and am now a licensed Acupuncture Physician at Bodies In Balance Acupuncture.
My background in both manual therapy and acupuncture gives me a practical, multi-layered approach to treatment. I work with athletes, active individuals, and anyone navigating injury or recovery, drawing on the principles of Five Element Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine alongside hands-on soft tissue work — supporting not just physical function, but lasting wellbeing.
DR. DORoTHY S. WELLS
Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
My passion for integrative healthcare began with my own journey to overcome severe chronic migraines. While conventional medicine helped rule out serious underlying conditions, I discovered that lasting healing required a more comprehensive approach. That experience inspired me to pursue a career in Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, and Functional Medicine, with a focus on identifying root causes and supporting the body's natural ability to heal.
I earned a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science after completing a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. I am a licensed Acupuncture Physician in Florida, board-certified in reproductive acupuncture through the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), and a certified Functional Medicine practitioner through the Kalish Institute.
I specialize in women's health, fertility, pregnancy, hormone balance, digestive health, stress and anxiety, and pain conditions including chronic migraines, TMJ/TMD, and hand and wrist pain. Supporting women through every stage of their reproductive journey—from menstrual health and fertility to pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause—is one of the most meaningful aspects of my practice. My goal is to help patients move beyond symptom management and achieve lasting health, vitality, and well-being. When appropriate, I incorporate Functional Medicine principles and advanced laboratory testing to identify underlying imbalances that may contribute to symptoms, particularly those involving digestion, hormones, and energy levels. As these systems become more balanced, patients often experience improvements in concerns such as allergies, acne, fatigue, brain fog, and immune function.
Patients often appreciate both my gentle acupuncture style and the calm, supportive environment of each visit. After many years of caring for patients in Miami Beach, I returned to my hometown of Gainesville and am honored to serve the community as part of the Bodies in Balance Acupuncture team, helping patients feel heard, empowered, and supported on their path to better health.
Dr. leora esterra,
md, MAc, diplac, dabma
Integrative Medicine Physician & Physician Acupuncturist
I am an integrative medicine physician who has trained in both Western medicine and Chinese Medicine; bringing these two worlds together defines my practice and my passion.
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I earned my medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed a Residency, Chief Residency, and Fellowship in Radiology at Montefiore Einstein in New York City. My own path led me to Acupuncture, Alchemical Chinese Medicine, and Personalized Functional Medicine, where I found the whole-person care I now offer my patients.
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In addition to my MD, I hold a Master's Degree in Acupuncture from the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Gainesville, and am board certified in Medical Acupuncture (ABMA) and Acupuncture (NCBAHM). I have pursued advanced training with master practitioners worldwide, including advanced modern Neuroacupuncture and ancient classical acupuncture. I have specialized training in auricular acupuncture, and am one of the few certified SAAT (Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment) practitioners in Florida, supporting alpha-gal syndrome, MCAS, and other allergies. I am the first Level 3 Certified Practitioner, and now an instructor, in Alchemical Chinese Medicine through the Alchemy Learning Center.
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At Bodies In Balance Acupuncture, I specialize in Neuroacupuncture and Auricular Acupuncture integrated with Alchemical and Classical Chinese Medicine. Alchemy, the art and science of transformation, is the essence of my practice. My work weaves together the precision biological approach of Western medical training with the heart of Chinese Medicine to support lasting healing on all levels — Body, Mind, Energy, and Spirit.
