Discover how custom orthotics from Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist in Michigan can relieve foot pain, improve posture, and support better mobility.
Most dress shoes destroy foot health within hours, but 4 specific features separate the ones that do from the ones that don’t. A podiatrist who operates on dress-shoe damage daily names the brands that consistently pass the test.
Quick answer:6 weeks), posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and biomechanically complex foot problems. Call (810) 206-1402. Call (810) 206-1402. Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Last reviewed: April 2026 · Editorial Policy In This Article Watch: Custom Orthotics vs Store-Bought Insoles Quick Answer What Are Custom Orthotics? Types of Custom … Read more
Peroneus brevis tendonitis causes pain along the outer ankle that mimics a lateral ankle sprain — but the mechanism is different and the treatment that works for sprains makes peroneal tendinitis worse. Michigan podiatrist explains the peroneal stretch test and the specific fibular groove taping that offloads the tendon.
Tingling on top of the foot is almost always caused by the extensor retinaculum compressing the deep peroneal nerve — the same nerve that skechers-style rocker sole shoes decompress. Michigan podiatrist explains the Tinel’s test location and the three-step lacing modification that resolves the paresthesia.
Dr. Tom’s Top Insole Picks (2026) PowerStep Pinnacle My #1 OTC insole for plantar fasciitis. Semi-rigid heel cup, real arch support, fits most shoes. Sub-$50 vs $400+ custom orthotics. Read Review CURREX RunPro Insole For runners and active patients. Three arch profiles (low/med/high), lighter and more flexible than Pinnacle — designed for repetitive impact. Check … Read more
Ball of foot pain shoes need to reduce metatarsal head pressure, not just cushion it — and most marketed “metatarsalgia shoes” achieve neither. Michigan podiatrist explains the rocker sole geometry and metatarsal bar position that actually offloads the metatarsal heads and the specific models that get it right.
Quick answer: Foot Arch Support affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402. Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Last … Read more
You are in the right place. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — board-certified foot & ankle surgeon with 3,000+ surgeries — explains exactly what shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis means and what actually works. Call (810) 206-1402 for a same-day appointment at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office. Quick answer: Shoe Inserts Plantar Fasciitis affects … Read more
Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS Board-certified foot & ankle surgeon · 3,000+ surgeries · @MichiganFootDoctors (950K+ subscribers) Last reviewed May 11, 2026 · (810) 206-1402 MICHIGAN PODIATRIST INSIGHT The most important clinical decision with Custom Orthotics Cost isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call … Read more
Michigan podiatrist Dr. Tom Biernacki explains the key distinction most patients with Orthotics Vs Insoles miss – the one that determines whether conservative care will work.