There's a new alternative health practitoner in the South Perry neighborhood: Delphine O'Reilly has set up shop as an ear reflexologist. O'Reilly said she got interested in ear reflexology some years ago, when she was seeking treatment for severe anxiety and depression.
"I was getting my masters degree in psychology and I had so much anxiety, I was on a lot of drugs to deal with that," O'Reilly said. "Then I started getting my ears done and I did it for two years - it really helped me." She learned the practice from the ear reflexologist that treated her, and now she divides her time between 'doing ear' as she calls it in Mt. Vernon and Spokane.
The principels are the same as those behind foot reflexology: specific points on the outer ear are connected to organs, body parts and feelings - stimulating the right points brings balance to a person. O'Reilly said the technique is based on ancient Chinese practices such as acupuncture and acupressure. "I have seen really good results with anxiety, drepression, insomnia and weightloss," said O'Reilly. "It's safe and it's non-invasive."

During a session, points on the ear are stimulated with a TENS unit - a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator - which uses an electric current to stimulate nerves. It doesn't hurt, it feels somewhere in between a needle prick and a small pinch, depending on which point is being stimulated. After the session is over, tiny selfadhesive titanium beads are placed over some points for continued stimulation.
"They fall off after about a week," said O'Reilly, who's careful to explain that ear reflexology works differnetly from person to person and doesn't guarantee a cure. "There are many factors involved in how it works for you, but most people feel energized and calmer after a treatment." O'Reilly can be reached at (360) 630-3763 via www.ears2rhealth.com