Dentistry demands precision, concentration, and physical endurance. Dr. Markus Beckers explains why posture, back, neck, and prevention are not secondary concerns in daily practice – and why their own body is a professional foundation for dentists.
Why I Take My Body Seriously as a Dentist A personal contribution by Dr. Markus Beckers I am a dentist. So I know very well what this profession means physically. From the outside, dentistry often looks calm and controlled. In reality, the body works along every day: the neck, the back, the shoulders, the arms, the hands. We sit or stand for hours in a concentrated posture, work precisely in confined spaces, and often remain in the same position longer than is good for the body. You don't always notice this immediately. At first, it might just be a pull in the neck or a tense back after a long day at the practice. You keep going because the schedule is full and the patients are there. But that is precisely where the risk lies. I have come to understand: if I want to practice this profession well in the long term, I cannot treat my body as an afterthought. Precision Requires Stability In dentistry, we talk a lot about technology, digital workflows, scanners, dental prosthetics, and quality. That is important. But in the end, there is always a person standing at the treatment chair. Steady hands, concentration, and precision do not arise independently of the body. When the back, neck, and shoulders are under constant tension, it costs energy. And eventually, it also costs performance. That is why physical prevention is not a fitness topic for me. It is part of my professional responsibility toward myself. Why I Train with Ingo Gaube I have been training with Ingo Gaube in Cologne for many years. What I appreciate about it: he understands what the dental profession demands physically. It is not about pushing through an excessive sports program after a long day at the practice. It is about targeted counterbalancing: stabilizing the back, relieving the shoulders, improving posture, maintaining mobility, and releasing stress from the body. For me, this training is an important balance. Not as a luxury. Not as a lifestyle. But as an investment in the coming years of my career. My Conclusion Dentistry is physical precision work. Anyone who wants to work well for a long time should invest not only in technology, processes, and materials, but also in their own body. I see this very clearly today: my body is not secondary. It is the foundation that allows me to practice my profession with calm, concentration, and precision. External Cooperation Notice I have been training with Ingo Gaube myself for many years. Because physical strain in the dental profession is a relevant topic, I refer here to his specialized offering for dentists in Cologne. This notice does not replace medical diagnostics, medical treatment, or physiotherapeutic evaluation. In the case of acute or persistent complaints, professional clarification should always be sought. More information: Ingo Gaube – Personal Training for Dentists in Cologne View Personal Training for Dentists in Cologne Why back, neck, and posture are part of professional resilience for dentists View Personal Training for Dentists in Cologne