Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-day appointments for urgent foot and ankle conditions across Southeast Michigan — but the most important factor in outcomes isn’t getting seen quickly. Our podiatrists explain what to do in the first 24-48 hours before your appointment that most patients skip entirely. Call (810) 206-1402 — expert podiatric care across Michigan.
You are in the right place. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — board-certified foot & ankle surgeon with 3,000+ surgeries — explains exactly what Farmington Hills podiatry means and what actually works. Call (810) 206-1402 for a same-day appointment at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office.
Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
The most important clinical decision with Farmington Hills Michigan Podiatrist isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Podiatric Care for Farmington Hills Residents
Farmington Hills is one of Oakland County’s largest cities — a well-planned suburban community with a strong mix of corporate headquarters, medical centers, residential neighborhoods, and outdoor green spaces. Residents are health-conscious, active, and accustomed to quality specialist care close to home. Balance Foot & Ankle’s Bloomfield Hills office is approximately 12–15 minutes east — a convenient drive via 14 Mile Road, Maple Road, or Telegraph Road.
About Farmington Hills, Michigan
Farmington Hills has a diverse, educated population, excellent parks system including Heritage Park and Farmington Hills Nature Center, and strong corporate employment from companies headquartered in the city. The community values active outdoor lifestyle, fitness, and family recreation — all pursuits that make foot and ankle health directly relevant to everyday quality of life. When foot pain interrupts that active lifestyle, Balance Foot & Ankle provides accessible expert care just minutes away.
Foot Conditions Common in Farmington Hills
Farmington Hills’ mix of active families, runners, golfers, and healthcare and corporate professionals creates a diverse podiatric case mix. Plantar fasciitis affects Farmington Hills’ active running community along Heritage Park trails and adjacent roads. Bunions and hammertoes accumulate in the professional population wearing dress footwear. Golf-related foot injuries — including turf toe, ankle sprains, and stress fractures — affect Farmington Hills’ active golfers. Pediatric conditions including flat feet and sports injuries are common in the city’s school-age population. Diabetic foot care serves the older population with diabetes management needs.
The Farmington Hills Running Community
Heritage Park trails, the adjacent Farmington Hills Nature Center, and the city’s well-maintained road network make Farmington Hills a significant running community. Road and trail runners from Farmington Hills are a consistent part of Dr. Biernacki’s patient base. Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, stress fractures, and peroneal tendon injuries from the demands of regular running are expertly evaluated and treated with return-to-run planning integrated from the first visit.
Conservative and Surgical Care for Farmington Hills Patients
Balance Foot & Ankle’s full spectrum of podiatric services is accessible from Farmington Hills at the Bloomfield Hills office. Custom orthotics, shockwave therapy for chronic tendinopathy, injection therapies, nail procedures, wound care, and the complete range of elective and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery — all without requiring Farmington Hills patients to navigate a large hospital system.
Getting to Balance Foot & Ankle from Farmington Hills
From central Farmington Hills, take 14 Mile Road east or Maple Road east toward Bloomfield Hills — approximately 12–15 minutes. Telegraph Road (US-24) also provides direct north-south access. Convenient parking is available at the Bloomfield Hills office. Daytime and select early morning appointments accommodate working professionals and parents.
Schedule Your Farmington Hills Podiatry Appointment
Farmington Hills’ active community deserves expert foot care close to home. Whether you’re dealing with runner’s heel pain, a bunion that’s limiting your work footwear, or a foot injury from the golf course, call Balance Foot & Ankle today. We’ll get you in promptly and get you back to full activity.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
On Cloud 5 Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Swiss-engineered CloudTec cushioning system that provides exceptional impact absorption on road and light trail surfaces — ideal for Farmington Hills runners on Heritage Park paths and city roads. The cloud pods compress individually on impact for targeted cushioning while delivering a firm, efficient push-off. Recommended by podiatrists for runners with plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy seeking maximum cushioning with efficient propulsion.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist recommended maximally cushioned shoes for my plantar fasciitis. The On Cloud 5 became my daily trainer — the CloudTec sole genuinely feels different from standard foam, and my heel pain improved significantly within four weeks.”
Road running and casual walking for Farmington Hills runners with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and general foot fatigue on pavement
Technical trail running on muddy or rocky terrain — the Cloud pods can trap debris on off-road surfaces; use trail-specific shoes for Heritage Park’s natural surfaces after rain
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
⭐ Highly Rated
Professional-grade multi-density foam roller for calf, Achilles, and plantar fascia self-myofascial release — a critical component of home plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy management. The GRID pattern mimics a therapist’s hands with varying surface textures for targeted tissue treatment. Recommended by podiatrists for daily self-treatment between professional appointments.
Dr. Tom says: “My foot doctor gave me a stretching and rolling protocol for plantar fasciitis. The GRID foam roller has become a daily ritual — calf rolling before my morning run completely changed my heel pain pattern.”
Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, calf tightness, and general lower extremity soft tissue recovery for Farmington Hills runners and active adults
Acute injuries, stress fractures, or open wounds — foam rolling is for chronic soft tissue conditions only; acute injuries require professional evaluation before self-treatment
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Bloomfield Hills office 12–15 minutes from Farmington Hills via 14 Mile or Maple Road
- Running injury expertise for Farmington Hills’ active trail and road running community
- Golf-related foot injury evaluation — turf toe, foot pain from golf swing mechanics
- Full spectrum: custom orthotics, shockwave therapy, injections, and surgical procedures
❌ Cons / Risks
- No office within Farmington Hills — drive to Bloomfield Hills required
- Spring and fall running season demand may require advance scheduling
- Shockwave therapy for chronic conditions requires 4–6 treatment sessions over several weeks
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Farmington Hills is a running city — Heritage Park trails, the roads through neighborhoods with long sidewalks, and a population that values staying active. I see a lot of Farmington Hills runners who come in with plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy and want to be told ‘just rest for two weeks.’ The honest answer is that rest alone rarely solves these problems — the mechanical cause needs to be addressed. We do the gait analysis, we prescribe the right orthotics and shoe modifications, and we build a real return-to-run protocol. That’s what actually works.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Balance Foot & Ankle from Farmington Hills, MI?
The Bloomfield Hills office is approximately 12–15 minutes from central Farmington Hills via 14 Mile Road or Maple Road east. Telegraph Road provides an additional north-south route option.
Does Dr. Biernacki treat runners from the Farmington Hills Heritage Park trail community?
Yes — running injury management is a core part of Dr. Biernacki’s practice. Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, stress fractures, and peroneal tendon injuries from running are expertly evaluated with gait analysis and sport-specific return-to-run planning.
What is shockwave therapy and is it available near Farmington Hills?
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in chronic tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. It’s particularly effective for conditions that haven’t responded to conventional conservative care. Treatment is performed at the Bloomfield Hills office, accessible from Farmington Hills in 12–15 minutes. A course of 4–6 treatments is typically required.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle treat pediatric foot conditions for Farmington Hills families?
Yes — children and adolescents from Farmington Hills are welcome at both the Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices. Common pediatric conditions treated include flat feet, Sever’s disease (growth plate heel pain), sports injuries, ingrown toenails, and wart treatment.
Can I see Dr. Biernacki for a second opinion on a recommended foot surgery?
Absolutely — second opinions for recommended foot or ankle surgery are a valued service at Balance Foot & Ankle. Dr. Biernacki provides an independent evaluation, reviews prior imaging, and gives his honest assessment of whether surgery is indicated and whether the proposed procedure is appropriate for your condition and goals.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
4.9★ rated | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Same-week appointments · Howell & Bloomfield Hills
📞 (810) 206-1402 Book Online →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a podiatrist?
If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).
What does treatment cost?
Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.
Ready to fix this for good?
Reading goes only so far. The fastest path to relief is a 30-minute office visit with Dr. Biernacki — same-day Howell or Bloomfield Hills. Call (810) 206-1402 or use our online booking.
In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle
If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot issues, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.
American Podiatric Medical Association: Find a Podiatrist
Ready to Get Relief?
Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
4.9★ | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Or call: (810) 206-1402
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.