Health & Wellness - Emerson Hospital

Program: Growing at Emerson
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Hypnosis for weight loss
It did the trick for Acton police officer
Christopher Prehl says he has battled weight his entire life. It didn’t help that his family owned a bakery in
his native Littleton, where he worked during high school.
Chris Prehl, out walking with
his daughter, Krista, and dog,
Marci, lost weight thanks to
hypnosis, which he learned at
Emerson.
“I tried dieting,” says Mr. Prehl, 46. “I’d lose a little weight here and there, usually by drinking protein
shakes. The only time I dropped much weight was when I went through the police academy. I lost close
to 40 pounds. But I got lazy, and the weight came back on.”
Two years ago, the Acton police officer noticed a course called “Hypnosis for weight loss” listed in the
HealthWorks health calendar, and it got him thinking. “My father was a two-pack-a-day smoker until he
took a hypnosis class,” Mr. Prehl says. “He never picked up another cigarette and even said he had no
desire to smoke. If it could work for my father, maybe hypnosis could help me.”
It did help. After taking the class, he lost 50 pounds, and he’s kept most of the weight off. “Instead of
drinking soda, I now drink lots of water, and I walk between three and seven miles a day,” he says. His
knees don’t hurt anymore, and he no longer needs to take medication for high blood pressure. His daughter,
Krista, often walks with him. The two have walked to raise money for charities.
Mr. Prehl has returned to the class, which is offered by Joseph Packard, a board-certified hypnotherapist,
for a “tune-up” and to speak to classes. After all, he’s a success story.
“I’ve recommended the class to friends, neighbors and colleagues at work,” he says. “It’s a lifestyle change
and a life commitment. I believe in hypnosis.”
Health benefits for mother and son
Lincoln residents combine tai chi, qi gong and yoga
Eleanor Fitzgerald had a long-standing interest in tai chi; once she retired, she decided to take
a class. She says she’s benefited from the ancient Chinese practice, which promotes balance
and overall strength through graceful movement. “I’m 72, so I do stiffen up,” says the Lincoln
resident. “I need to keep moving.”
She’s made a healthy habit of it at Emerson’s tai chi and qi gong classes, which are taught
by Ming Wu, PhD. Qi gong combines physical postures with breathing techniques to reduce
stress, build stamina and increase vitality. She also takes a weekly yoga class.
“I feel better after each of the classes,” says Mrs. Fitzgerald. In addition to helping keep her
weight down and deal better with stress, the increased physical activity has produced another
important health benefit. “I had been diagnosed with osteoporosis, but after a few years of tai
chi, my bone density is back to normal.”
Her son, Ian, joined the tai chi class in 2006 and, since then, the qi gong and yoga classes. He
suffers from seizures due to a brain tumor but has fewer now, mainly because he is controlling
his stress. “Stress can trigger a seizure episode,” he explains. “The combination of tai chi,
qi gong and yoga is very calming and helps me ground out stress. I’m also getting exercise.
Tai chi and other classes
have benefited the
health of Eleanor and Ian
Fitzgerald.
“I feel better overall, so the classes are very helpful,” says Mr. Fitzgerald, who practices tai chi
regularly at home. “The teachers at Emerson are high quality. I have to thank my mom for
getting me connected with tai chi.”
For more information, please call 978-287-3777.
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