Flint Podiatrist | Foot Doctor Serving Flint Township & Genesee County

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Podiatry Services for Flint, Flint Township, and Genesee County

Flint and its surrounding communities in Genesee County deserve access to high-quality specialized foot and ankle care. Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients from the greater Flint area at our Howell location — accessible via US-23 South — providing board-certified podiatric expertise for conditions ranging from routine nail care to complex foot surgery. For patients with problems that have resisted local care, or those seeking a specialist’s perspective before surgical decisions, our team is worth the drive.

We understand the health challenges facing Flint-area residents. Environmental health concerns, significant diabetic populations, limited specialist access in some areas, and a resilient community that deserves the same quality of care available anywhere in Michigan — these realities shape how we approach serving Flint and Genesee County patients.

About Flint and the Greater Genesee County Community

Flint is Michigan’s sixth-largest city with a proud industrial heritage as a historic center of automobile manufacturing. The city and surrounding Flint Township, Mount Morris Township, and communities like Swartz Creek, Flushing, and Linden form a metro area of approximately 400,000 people. Despite significant challenges over recent decades, the Flint area is home to a resilient population with strong community organizations, the University of Michigan-Flint, Kettering University, and a growing healthcare presence with Hurley Medical Center and McLaren Flint as major employers.

Diabetic Foot Health in the Flint Area

Diabetes prevalence is significantly elevated in the Flint area, consistent with the broader pattern of health disparities in post-industrial Michigan communities. The consequences of untreated diabetic foot disease — peripheral neuropathy, ulcers, infections, and amputation — represent one of the most preventable causes of disability and hospitalization. Comprehensive podiatric diabetic foot exams, quarterly or annual depending on risk level, are among the most cost-effective healthcare interventions for diabetic patients.

Balance Foot & Ankle provides Medicare and Medicaid-covered diabetic foot exams, wound care coordination, therapeutic footwear fitting (Medicare Therapeutic Footwear Benefit), and patient education on daily foot inspection. We work with Flint-area primary care providers to integrate podiatric care into diabetic management programs for the highest-risk patients.

Common Conditions for Flint Area Patients

• Diabetic foot complications — neuropathy, ulcers, Charcot arthropathy, and infection management
• Heel pain and plantar fasciitis — extremely common in working adults across all occupational backgrounds
• Bunions and hammertoes — progressive deformities that respond well to both conservative and surgical management
• Ankle injuries — from sports, occupational accidents, and everyday activity
• Nail and skin conditions — fungal nails, ingrown toenails, calluses, and plantar warts
• Custom orthotics — for workers who spend extended time on their feet in manufacturing or service settings

Industrial and Occupational Foot Injuries

Flint’s manufacturing legacy means a significant portion of the working population spends shifts in heavy manufacturing environments — automotive parts suppliers, metal fabrication, and related industries where foot injury risk is real. Crush injuries, chemical exposure, and standing fatigue injuries are occupational realities. We provide objective medical documentation for workers’ compensation claims, return-to-work assessments, and can coordinate with occupational medicine when needed.

Schedule Your Appointment

Flint and Genesee County patients can reach Balance Foot & Ankle by calling (810) 206-1402 or booking online at michiganfootdoctors.com. Our Howell office is approximately 35–40 miles from Flint via US-23 South. We welcome new patients from throughout Genesee County and are committed to making specialist-level foot care accessible to everyone who needs it.

Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.

Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI

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📞 (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

More Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Health Essentials

Hoka Clifton 10

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Hoka Men's Clifton 10 Black/White 10 Medium

• JACQUARD KNIT UPPER
• Lining Textile

$134.94

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Max-cushion everyday shoe — podiatrist favorite for walking and running.

PowerStep Pinnacle Insole

PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles, Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis Relief, Made in USA Orthotic Insoles, Arch Support Inserts with Moderate Pronation, #1 Podiatrist Recommended (M 14-15)

• The Pinnacle Full length insoles for men & women provide maximum cushioning, from high activity to moderate support. The PowerStep arch support shape provides stability to the foot and ankle, helping to relieve foot pain.
• When you spend all day on your feet, every step counts. PowerStep insoles are a podiatrist-recommended orthotic to help relieve & prevent foot pain related to athletes, runners, Plantar Fasciitis, heel spurs & other common foot, ankle & knee injuries
• The Pinnacle plantar fasciitis insoles offer superior heel cushioning and arch support. The dual-layer cushioning is designed to reduce stress and fatigue, while PowerStep premium arch support is designed for plantar fasciitis relief.
• The PowerStep Pinnacle arch support inserts for men & women can be worn in a variety of shoe types such as; athletic, walking, running, work & some casual shoes. Orthotic Inserts are ordered by shoe size, no trimming required.
• Made in the USA & backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. PowerStep orthotic inserts for men & women are designed for shoes where the factory insole can be removed. HSA & FSA Eligible

$49.50

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The podiatrist-recommended over-the-counter orthotic.

OOFOS Recovery Slide

OOFOS OOahh Recovery Slide, Black - Women’s Size 14, Men’s Size 12

• The Original Recovery Footwear.
• Finding Your Size - For your perfect fit, consult the “size chart” link above. Wear a half size? In general, we recommend that women who wear a ½ size size UP, and men who wear a ½ size size DOWN
• OOahh - An evolution of the OOriginal, the OOahh slide features our proven foundation of OOfoam technology + patented footbed design with a slide-style strap that has become a best-seller in the OOFOS line
• OOfoam Technology - Our revolutionary OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foams to reduce the stress on your feet, joints & back. Plus, the closed-cell foam is machine washable and designed to minimize odor
• Patented Footbed - Our patented footbed cradles and supports arches to reduce energy exertion in the ankles by up to 47% compared to competitors’ footwear. So walking is easier. Recovery is faster. And yOO feel better

$59.95

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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.

#1

⭐ Editor’s Pick — #1 Orthotic

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PowerStep Pinnacle MaxxDr. Tom’s #1 Brand

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

★★★★★ 4.5 (28,341+ reviews)

Amazon’s ChoicePrimeAPMA-Accepted

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.

✓ PROS

• Lateral wedge corrects pronation
• Deep heel cradle stabilizes ankle
• Dual-density EVA — comfort + support
• Trim-to-fit any shoe
• Used by 10,000+ podiatrists

✗ CONS

• Trim-to-size required
• 5-7 day break-in for some

👨‍⚕️ 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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#2

⭐ Best Premium Orthotic

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CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand

Best For: Premium German-Engineered Orthotic

★★★★★ 4.4 (4,000+ reviews)

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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.

✓ PROS

• 3 arch heights for custom fit
• Carbon-reinforced heel cup
• Dynamic forefoot zone
• Premium German engineering
• Sport-specific support

✗ CONS

• Pricier than PowerStep
• 7-10 day break-in

👨‍⚕️ 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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#3

⭐ 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

★★★★★ 4.6 (5,500+ reviews)

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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.

✓ PROS

• Menthol-based natural formula
• No greasy residue
• Safe for diabetics
• Fast cooling relief — 5-10 minutes
• Cleaner ingredient list than Biofreeze

✗ CONS

• Pricier than Biofreeze
• Strong menthol scent at first

👨‍⚕️ 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.