In this blog, we explore how Pilates, with its focus on posture, strength, and mindful movement can support the physical wellbeing of dental professionals.
Meet Chloe Barton: Pilates instructor and Sports Massage Therapist
Chloe Barton is a qualified Pilates instructor and sports massage therapist with over five years of experience. Based in Oswestry, she runs her own wellness business, CB Sports Massage & Pilates, where she supports clients in physically demanding professions, including dentistry.
“Dentists often spend extended periods leaning over patients and maintaining the same posture, which places significant strain on their neck, shoulders, and back,” Chloe explains. “Pilates uses controlled, mindful movements to strengthen the core muscles that support the spine, helping correct posture and address imbalances caused by prolonged chairside work.”
With clients from healthcare, fitness, and manual labour backgrounds, Chloe has seen firsthand how Pilates reduces pain, improves posture, and builds endurance, which is especially valuable for dental professionals.
Although Pilates is often associated with athletes or general fitness, Chloe emphasises its potential for anyone in repetitive or posture-heavy roles. For dentists, it targets the muscle groups most strained during clinical work – such as the neck, shoulders, and lower back, while promoting spinal alignment, flexibility, and overall wellbeing.
The physical toll of Dentistry: Why it matters
Dentistry requires intense precision, often while working in static or awkward positions for extended periods. The physical impact is significant:
- 70% of dentists report experiencing back pain
- 47.6% suffer from lower back pain, with 9.5% describing it as severe
- 79% of dental students report neck or back pain during their training
According to Wesleyan Financial Services:
- Over 40% of dentists have taken time off due to musculoskeletal pain
- Nearly 1 in 3 say it affects their ability to work effectively
These physical challenges not only cause discomfort but also impact job satisfaction and long-term career sustainability. Prevention and proactive care are crucial.
How Pilates can help dentists thrive
Given the research and expert insight, it’s clear that Pilates is a smart, proactive choice for dentists. The physical demands of the job from long hours in static positions, repetitive motions, and poor posture can lead to muscular imbalances and strain. Pilates directly addresses these issues by:
- Strengthening deep core muscles
- Improving spinal alignment and posture
- Enhancing flexibility and joint mobility
- Increasing body awareness
- Promoting stress relief through breath control and mental focus
These benefits go beyond short-term pain relief; they support long-term injury prevention and professional resilience.
Invest in your body, invest in your career
The demands of dentistry aren’t going away, but how you care for your body can make all the difference. Pilates offers dentists a practical and accessible way to reduce pain, improve posture, and build strength to support a long and healthy career. Whether you’re newly qualified or decades into practice, taking time to strengthen and realign your body is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
“I definitely recommend that dentists give Pilates a go,” says Chloe Barton of CB Sports Massage & Pilates. “It’s a smart and sustainable way to protect your body and stay strong throughout your career.”
Your patients rely on you, so take the time to invest in your own wellbeing. Your body is your most valuable tool – take care of it.