East Lansing & Okemos Podiatrist | Foot Doctor Near MSU

Podiatric Care for the East Lansing and MSU Community

Balance Foot & Ankle welcomes patients from East Lansing, Okemos, Mason, Holt, Williamston, and the greater Michigan State University community to our podiatric practices. Dr. Tom Bembynista, DPM, and the Balance Foot & Ankle team provide expert foot and ankle evaluation and treatment for patients of all ages and activity levels, offering the East Lansing area access to high-quality specialty podiatric medicine.

Our Howell location, approximately 35–40 minutes from East Lansing via I-96, is the most convenient option for patients traveling from the Lansing metropolitan area. We offer on-site digital X-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and comprehensive evaluation at a single visit — getting patients answers and a treatment plan without the delays of external imaging referrals.

Serving MSU Students, Faculty, and Staff

Michigan State University’s large campus — one of the largest in the country — means students, faculty, and staff walk substantial distances daily. New students in particular often experience a dramatic increase in walking volume at the start of the academic year, transitioning from car-dependent home environments to a campus where walking 2–4 miles daily is routine. This transition frequently triggers plantar fasciitis, metatarsal stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, and blister complications — a predictable cluster of walking-related overuse injuries that we see in student patients every fall and spring.

MSU athletes competing in the Big Ten benefit from sports-focused podiatric care that addresses the biomechanical demands of their specific sports, provides custom athletic orthotics, and offers return-to-play guidance after foot and ankle injuries. We understand the importance of keeping athletes on the field and work efficiently to provide diagnosis-driven treatment that minimizes time out of competition.

Running Community in the Lansing Area

The Greater Lansing Running Club, the Lansing Marathon, and the many trail running opportunities in Ingham and surrounding counties support a large and active running community. Runners in this area frequently present with plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome with distal pain, Achilles tendinopathy, stress fractures, and chronic ankle instability — all conditions that benefit from expert podiatric evaluation and evidence-based treatment. Our practice provides biomechanical gait analysis, custom orthotics for running shoes, and sport-specific rehabilitation guidance that helps Lansing-area runners train more safely and return to competition after injury.

Custom Orthotics for East Lansing Patients

Custom foot orthotics designed to correct biomechanical abnormalities and provide targeted support are among the most transformative treatments we provide. For East Lansing area patients, we fabricate orthotics for the full range of footwear needs — from athletic running shoes to campus walking shoes to professional dress footwear. Our biomechanical evaluation process identifies the specific structural factors contributing to your foot condition and informs orthotic design parameters that produce real functional improvement. Patients who have tried generic arch supports without success often find custom orthotics resolve symptoms that have persisted for months or years.

Scheduling from East Lansing and Okemos

New and established patients from East Lansing, Okemos, Mason, and throughout the Lansing metropolitan area can schedule appointments at our Howell location by calling (810) 206-1402 or booking online at our website. We accept most major insurance plans. When booking, please mention you’re traveling from the Lansing area so our team can help you select the best appointment time and prepare for a productive visit. We look forward to serving the MSU and greater Lansing community.

Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.

Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI

📅 Book Online
📞 (810) 206-1402

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

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.