Quick answer: Auburn Hills Podiatrist Pontiac Bloomfield Hills Foot Doctor is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. The 2026 evidence-based approach combines proper diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
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Expert Podiatry Right in Your Oakland County Backyard
Auburn Hills, Pontiac, and Bloomfield Hills sit in the heart of Oakland County — a region that encompasses everything from Oakland University’s campus and the Palace area to Bloomfield Hills’s prestigious communities. Balance Foot & Ankle serves all of these communities from our Bloomfield Township office, providing board-certified podiatric medicine and surgery at a location convenient for northern Oakland County residents.
If you’re dealing with foot pain, nail problems, diabetic foot concerns, or an injury that’s limiting your activity, expert care is close to home.
Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Services
We treat the full range of foot and ankle conditions for patients of all ages and activity levels throughout northern Oakland County:
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain — Our most common condition; treated with custom orthotics, stretching protocols, cortisone injection, and shockwave therapy for resistant cases
- Bunions — Conservative and surgical options including minimally invasive techniques and Lapidus fusion for hypermobile deformities
- Hammertoes and toe deformities — Office and surgical correction
- Diabetic foot care — Comprehensive annual exams, wound care, and custom footwear
- Ingrown toenails — Prompt office treatment; permanent matrixectomy for recurrent cases
- Toenail fungus — Topical, oral, and laser treatment options
- Sports injuries — Ankle sprains, stress fractures, and tendon conditions
- Custom orthotics — Digital precision fabrication for your specific biomechanics
- Ankle instability — Rehabilitation and surgical reconstruction
- Nerve conditions — Morton’s neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome management
Oakland University and Student-Athlete Foot Care
Auburn Hills is home to Oakland University, with thousands of student athletes competing in NCAA Division I sports. Student athletes — from cross country and track athletes running high mileage to basketball players with ankle sprain histories — develop the full spectrum of sports foot and ankle injuries. We provide sports podiatry appropriate for student athletes with season-appropriate treatment goals, working around academic and competition schedules.
Automotive Industry Workers: Foot Care for Standing-Intensive Jobs
Auburn Hills and Pontiac have significant automotive industry employment — manufacturing, engineering, and support roles that often involve extended standing and walking on hard concrete surfaces. Assembly line workers, quality control personnel, and factory workers are among the most common populations for occupational plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and ankle fatigue.
We understand the occupational demands of automotive work and provide treatment that accounts for your work requirements — including custom orthotics designed for safety boots and return-to-work planning after foot and ankle injuries.
Close to Our Bloomfield Township Office
Our Bloomfield Township location is just minutes from Auburn Hills via I-75 south. From Pontiac, Telegraph Road and Orchard Lake Road provide direct access. From Bloomfield Hills itself, we’re in the same immediate community. Parking is convenient and free — a significant advantage over major hospital-based specialist offices.
We offer morning appointment availability for patients who need to be seen before work or class, and afternoon availability for those coming from Pontiac and Auburn Hills after work.
Insurance and Scheduling
We accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, HAP, Medicare, and Medicaid. Our billing team verifies your coverage before your first appointment. New patients can book online 24/7 through our website or call our office for assistance.
Auburn Hills, Pontiac, and Bloomfield Hills residents: contact Balance Foot & Ankle today for the expert foot and ankle care you deserve.
Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
📅 Book Online
📞 (810) 206-1402
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Book Your AppointmentMore Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Health Essentials
Hoka Clifton 10
Max-cushion everyday shoe — podiatrist favorite for walking and running.
OOFOS Recovery Slide
Impact-absorbing recovery sandal — wear after long days on your feet.
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.
When to See a Podiatrist
If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills
Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)
If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified podiatrist + Amazon Associate. Picks shown are products he prescribes to patients at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All products independently tested + reviewed for 30+ days minimum. Last verified: April 28, 2026.
PowerStep Pinnacle MaxxDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Dr. Tom’s most-prescribed OTC orthotic. Lateral wedge corrects overpronation that causes 90% of foot pain. Deep heel cradle stabilizes the ankle. Built by podiatrists, used by patients worldwide.
- Lateral wedge corrects pronation
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- Trim-to-size required
- 5-7 day break-in for some
CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
3 arch heights for custom fit (Low/Med/High). Carbon-reinforced heel + dynamic forefoot — the closest OTC orthotic to a $500 custom orthotic. Engineered in Germany.
- 3 arch heights for custom fit
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- Pricier than PowerStep
- 7-10 day break-in
Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief GelDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Menthol-based natural pain relief — Dr. Tom’s #1 brand for fast relief without greasy residue. Safe for diabetics + daily use. Cleaner formula than Voltaren or Biofreeze.
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- Cleaner ingredient list than Biofreeze
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- Strong menthol scent at first
What is Foot pain?
Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.
Symptoms and warning signs
Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.
Conservative treatment options
Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.
When is surgery considered?
Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.
Recovery timeline and prevention
Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.
Ready to feel better?
Same-week appointments available in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Book Your Visit
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
- Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)