Quick answer: Chelsea Podiatrist Dexter Western Washtenaw County 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 Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
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Foot and Ankle Care for Western Washtenaw County
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
Chelsea, Dexter, and the rural communities of western Washtenaw County sit at the intersection of Southeast Michigan’s agricultural heritage and Ann Arbor’s academic and professional sphere. Residents of these communities often travel to Ann Arbor or further for specialized medical care — but expert foot and ankle care doesn’t have to require that journey. Balance Foot & Ankle serves western Washtenaw County patients from our Howell, Livingston County location, providing access to board-certified podiatric medicine and surgery just a short drive away.
Whether you’re a Chelsea or Dexter resident dealing with chronic heel pain, a farmer who needs foot care appropriate for your active, outdoor occupation, or a patient managing diabetic foot concerns, our practice has the expertise and technology to help.
Comprehensive Services for Washtenaw County Patients
We provide the full range of podiatric services for all ages and activity levels:
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain — Conservative protocols with high success rates; shockwave therapy and minimally invasive surgery for persistent cases
- Bunions — All surgical and conservative options, tailored to deformity severity
- Hammertoes and lesser toe deformities — Padding, orthotics, and surgical correction
- Diabetic foot care — Comprehensive annual exams, wound care, custom diabetic footwear
- Ingrown toenails — Office treatment; permanent matrixectomy for recurring cases
- Sports injuries — Ankle sprains, stress fractures, and tendon conditions for Chelsea’s and Dexter’s active communities
- Custom orthotics — Digital precision fabrication
- Ankle instability — Comprehensive rehabilitation and surgical reconstruction
- Toenail conditions — Including fungal nail laser treatment
- Children’s foot problems — Flat feet, in-toeing, warts, heel pain in growing kids
Agricultural and Rural Worker Foot Care
Western Washtenaw County’s agricultural heritage means many residents work in farming, landscaping, and outdoor occupations that create specific foot health demands: extended standing and walking on uneven terrain, work boot requirements, exposure to soil and moisture (fungal infection risk), and the occasional acute injury from farm equipment and machinery.
We understand the occupational demands of agricultural work — treatment needs to be compatible with getting back to the field quickly, and custom orthotics need to fit inside work boots rather than dress shoes. We provide occupationally appropriate care for farmers, landscapers, and outdoor workers throughout Washtenaw County.
Convenient Location: Howell is Close to Chelsea
Our Howell location is easily accessible from Chelsea and Dexter via I-94 east to US-23 north, or via Dexter-Chelsea Road connecting to M-52 north. Drive time from Chelsea is typically 25–35 minutes; from Dexter, 20–30 minutes. Howell offers free parking and a convenient, welcoming office environment.
We also serve patients from Webster Township, Lyndon Township, and other western Washtenaw County communities — contact us if you have questions about access from your specific location.
Insurance and New Patient Information
We accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare Part B, and Medicaid. Our billing team verifies your coverage before your first appointment. Most patients can be seen within a week of calling; urgent concerns receive same-day or next-day appointments when possible.
Schedule Your Appointment
Chelsea, Dexter, and western Washtenaw County residents: expert podiatric care is close to home at Balance Foot & Ankle. Book online or call our Howell office to schedule your appointment today.
Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
📅 Book Online
📞 (810) 206-1402
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
More 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
4.5
(28,341+ reviews)
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
- Deep heel cradle stabilizes ankle
- Dual-density EVA — comfort + support
- Trim-to-fit any shoe
- Used by 10,000+ podiatrists
- Trim-to-size required
- 5-7 day break-in for some
This single insole eliminates plantar fasciitis pain in 60% of patients within 2 weeks. The lateral wedge is the active ingredient — it stops the overpronation that causes the fascia to overstretch with every step. Pair with a max-cushion shoe for compound effect.
CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
4.4
(4,000+ reviews)
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
- Carbon-reinforced heel cup
- Dynamic forefoot zone
- Premium German engineering
- Sport-specific support
- Pricier than PowerStep
- 7-10 day break-in
Choose your arch height from a wet-foot test (low/med/high). Wrong arch = re-injury. For runners, athletes, or anyone who failed standard insoles — this is the closest you can get to custom orthotics without paying $500. The carbon heel is what professional athletes use.
Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief GelDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
4.6
(5,500+ reviews)
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.
- Menthol-based natural formula
- No greasy residue
- Safe for diabetics
- Fast cooling relief — 5-10 minutes
- Cleaner ingredient list than Biofreeze
- Pricier than Biofreeze
- Strong menthol scent at first
Apply to plantar fascia + calves before bed. Combined with stretching, eliminates morning fascia pain. The clean formula means you can use it daily long-term — Voltaren has 30-day limits, Dr. Hoy’s doesn’t.
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.
Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available
Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
Same-day appointments available. (810) 206-1402
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel
Natural topical pain relief I use in our clinic. Arnica + camphor formula — apply directly to the area 3–4x daily. ($20–25)
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) 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 made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.