Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment in Michigan — Advanced Options at Balance Foot & Ankle

Beyond Gabapentin — Advanced Diabetic Neuropathy Care

If you’re living with diabetic neuropathy — that burning, tingling, numbness in your feet that makes every step uncertain — you deserve more than “just take your Gabapentin.” At Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Hills, we share a building with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute, meaning your diabetes management and your foot care are coordinated under one roof. In Howell, we serve Livingston County patients at 4330 E Grand River Ave. Call (810) 206-1402.

Understanding Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage caused by prolonged elevation of blood glucose. It affects approximately 50% of people with diabetes and typically begins in the feet — the longest peripheral nerves are affected first. Early symptoms include tingling, burning, and sensitivity to touch. As it progresses, numbness and loss of protective sensation develop, creating dangerous vulnerability to injury. Advanced neuropathy can cause complete sensory loss, balance problems, and predisposes to foot ulcers and amputation.

Why Standard Treatment Often Falls Short

Gabapentin and Lyrica reduce pain signals but don’t address the underlying nerve damage. They’re symptom suppressors, not treatments. Many patients on these medications experience significant sedation, cognitive dulling, and weight gain — and still have inadequate pain control. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) has similar limitations with its own side effect profile. The fundamental problem: standard neuropathy medications don’t repair nerves. Our approach does.

Our Multi-Modal Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment

MLS Laser Therapy: Our FDA-cleared dual-wavelength laser stimulates nerve cell metabolism, reduces neuroinflammation, and promotes microcirculatory improvement in the small vessels supplying peripheral nerves. This directly addresses the nerve tissue, not just the pain signals. 3D Custom Orthotics: Redistribute pressure away from the vulnerable areas of neuropathic feet, preventing the undetected injuries that lead to ulcers. Therapeutic Footwear: Medicare-covered diabetic shoes and inserts designed specifically for neuropathic feet. Supplementation: Alpha-lipoic acid, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin D have the strongest evidence for neuropathy symptom reduction — we guide patients to effective options including Nutricost products. Glycemic Coordination: Working with your endocrinologist (at Grunberger Diabetes Institute for our Bloomfield Hills patients) to optimize blood sugar control — the most impactful intervention for halting neuropathy progression.

Neuropathy and Fall Risk

Neuropathy is the leading foot-related cause of falls in older adults. When feet can’t accurately sense the ground, balance is fundamentally compromised. Our fall prevention program addresses neuropathy from multiple angles — nerve treatment, appropriate footwear, and home safety assessment.

Don’t Accept Numbness as Normal

Call (810) 206-1402. Howell and Bloomfield Hills locations. Medicare covers diabetic foot exams and related care. Home visits available for mobility-limited patients throughout Livingston and Oakland Counties.

Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Diabetic Program

At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan diabetic patients receive a structured foot care program that addresses the full range of diabetes-related foot risks: neuropathy surveillance, vascular assessment, skin and nail care, ulcer prevention and treatment, therapeutic footwear prescription, and patient education on daily foot care habits. Our diabetic foot care program follows the clinical guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons — incorporating annual comprehensive foot examinations for all diabetic patients, more frequent visits for patients with active neuropathy, vascular compromise, or prior ulceration history, and urgent same-day evaluation for diabetic foot wounds that cannot safely wait for a routine appointment.

Related Treatment Guides

• Diabetic Foot Care & Neuropathy
• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment

The statistics supporting intensive podiatric co-management for diabetic patients are compelling: regular podiatric care reduces the risk of diabetic foot amputation by up to 85% compared to diabetic patients without podiatric surveillance. For the 37 million Americans living with diabetes — including the substantial diabetic population in Livingston and Oakland counties — this preventive impact is the strongest argument for establishing podiatric care before a problem develops. Michigan diabetic patients who have not yet established podiatric care should call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule their first comprehensive diabetic foot examination at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office. We accept Medicare and most Michigan private insurance plans for diabetic foot care services.

Medical References & Sources

• American Diabetes Association — Foot Complications
• PubMed Research — Diabetic Foot Care
• American Podiatric Medical Association — Diabetic Foot

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

More Podiatrist-Recommended Diabetic Essentials

Diabetic-Approved Walking Shoe

Orthofeet Men's Sprint Walking Shoe, Athletic

• Tie-Less Lacing System eliminates the need to tie laces. Heel strap enables to adjust the grip around the heel. Cushioning sole with a mild Rocker adds spring to your step. Soft, padded fabric interior with no overlays eliminates irritation.

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Orthofeet Sprint — seamless, extra-depth, designed for neuropathic feet.

Seamless Diabetic Sock

OS1st FS4 Plantar Fasciitis No Show Socks relieves plantar fasciitis, heel/arch pain and improves circulation

• Provides continuous support of the Plantar Fascia by gently stretching the fascia tissue.
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• Made from high quality materials, the socks are moisture wicking and breathable.

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OS1st FS4 — non-binding, moisture-wicking, protects fragile diabetic skin.

Recovery Slide for Indoor Wear

HOKA - Unisex Ora Recovery Slide 3 | Recovery Sandal – Running Lab

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HOKA Ora 3 — protects diabetic feet from barefoot injury at home.

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

One unnoticed blister on a neuropathic foot can become a limb-threatening ulcer in under 14 days. Medicare covers diabetic shoes (A5500) and comprehensive foot exams annually for most diabetic patients with neuropathy or circulation concerns. Balance Foot & Ankle runs a dedicated diabetic limb-preservation program — vascular screening, offloading, ulcer care, and shoe fitting — all in one visit. Schedule your annual diabetic foot exam today.

Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402  ·  Book online  ·  Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills

Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for diabetic foot care

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we use with patients.

Drew Moonwalker Diabetic Shoe Dr. Tom’s Pick

Best for: Medicare-covered diabetic footwear

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Diabetic Compression Socks Dr. Tom’s Pick

Best for: Daily protection + circulation

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Hibiclens Antiseptic Dr. Tom’s Pick

Best for: Wound prep + paronychia care

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Magnifying Mirror with Light Dr. Tom’s Pick

Best for: Daily foot inspection

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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.

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PowerStep Pinnacle MaxxDr. Tom’s #1 Brand

Best For: #1 OTC Orthotic — Plantar Fasciitis + Overpronation

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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.

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👨‍⚕️ Dr. Tom’s Verdict: 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.

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⭐ Best Premium Orthotic

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CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand

Best For: Premium German-Engineered Orthotic

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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.

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• Pricier than PowerStep
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👨‍⚕️ Dr. Tom’s Verdict: 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.

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⭐ Best Topical Pain Relief

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Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief GelDr. Tom’s #1 Brand

Best For: Topical Pain Relief — Plantar Fasciitis + Tendonitis

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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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👨‍⚕️ Dr. Tom’s Verdict: 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.

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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

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.