Your Guide to PIPS Care at Blessingways
Blessingways Family Wellness – Airdrie, Alberta
PIPS Assessment and Treatment for
Tongue-Tie and Tethered Oral Tissues
Has your lactation consultant, myofascial therapist, dentist, or orthodontist recommended PIPS care?
You’re welcome here!
Blessingways Family Wellness offers PIPS assessment and treatment for babies, children, and adults, and we’re happy to be part of your care team.
If PIPS is new to you, this page explains what it is and what you can expect when you bring your child for an appointment.
To book an assessment, call 403-945-2422.
Meet Your PIPS Practitioners
Dr. Melanie Beingessner and Dr. Leah Bakke are certified PIPS practitioners at Blessingways Family Wellness in Airdrie.
Dr. Melanie and Dr. Leah assess the whole child, with particular attention to the mouth, jaw, neck, and how the body moves. We take time to understand your concerns and the recommendations you have received from your child’s other providers.
Whether your child is preparing for a tongue-tie release or has already had one, we’re pleased to help you understand where chiropractic and PIPS care may fit into their care plan.
What Is PIPS Technique?
PIPS—Pediatric Intraoral Palate Specific Technique—was developed by Ontario pediatric chiropractor Dr. Jenna Davis. It is a hands-on chiropractic technique that uses specific contacts inside the mouth, including the palate—the roof of the mouth.
PIPS assessment considers the movement and tension of the tongue, jaw, palate, and surrounding tissues, along with the upper neck. Treatment uses specific contacts with a gloved finger to address areas of tension identified during the examination.
PIPS may be included alongside chiropractic adjustments as part of an individualized treatment plan.
Common Reasons for a PIPS Referral
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Head Shape Concerns
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Breastfeeding Difficulties
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Torticollis
What Can You Expect at Your First Appointment?
Our chiropractors begin with a complete history and thorough examination before recommending treatment.
1. Take a Complete History
Your child’s care starts with understanding the whole child. We take time to hear your concerns and discuss their health, birth history, feeding, development, and daily activities.
We also ask about assessments or treatment your child has already received, whether a tongue-tie release is planned or has taken place, and any recommendations from your referring provider.
Please bring any relevant referral information or instructions you have been given.
2. Perform a Thorough Examination
Our chiropractic examination assesses the whole body, with a focus on the mouth and oral tissues:
Posture, movement, and how your child turns their head.
Muscle tone, coordination, and developmental responses.
Jaw movement, tongue movement, and oral function.
The position and tension of the palate and surrounding tissues.
The examination is adapted to your child’s age and stage of development. Examining the mouth alongside the neck and body helps us develop recommendations based on the whole assessment.
3. Explain Our Findings
We explain our findings, answer your questions, and discuss whether chiropractic/PIPS care is appropriate for your child.
We outline the areas we recommend treating, the goals of care, and our recommendations for reassessment. If further assessment by another provider is indicated, we discuss that with you as well.
You have the opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.
4. Move On to Treatment, if You Consent to Do So
Treatment is tailored to your child’s examination findings.
Care may include gentle chiropractic adjustments and specific contacts inside the mouth with a gloved finger to address tension. Your chiropractor will explain the recommended treatment before beginning.
We take our time, follow your child’s cues, and pause as needed. You are welcome to ask questions throughout the visit.
As care progresses, we reassess your child’s movement and examination findings to guide further recommendations.
5. Schedule chiropractic visits before AND after the tongue release
Below is our protocol for treating babies, children and adults who are having a tongue-tie release:
We’re Part of Your Team
We’re pleased to be part of your child’s care team. With your consent, we’ll send your referring practitioner and other providers our examination findings, treatment recommendations, and your child’s progress and results.
Sharing this information helps us coordinate care before and after a tongue-tie release, so everyone involved understands how your child is responding and what we recommend next.
Any Questions Before You Book?
Whether your child has been referred for care before a tongue-tie release, has already had a release, or you have questions about PIPS, we’re pleased to hear from you.
When you call, let our team know that you’re booking a PIPS assessment and whether your child has a release scheduled or has already had the procedure.