Quick answer: Flint Podiatrist Foot Doctor Genesee County 2 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.
▶ Watch
Expert Foot and Ankle Care for Flint and Genesee County Residents
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
Residents of Flint and the greater Genesee County area deserve access to board-certified, high-quality podiatric care. Balance Foot & Ankle, led by Dr. Tom Biernacki, provides the full range of foot and ankle services at our Howell, Michigan office — a convenient drive south on US-23 from Flint and surrounding communities including Flushing, Clio, Swartz Creek, Davison, and Linden.
Whether you are dealing with a painful ingrown toenail, a diabetic foot wound that needs urgent attention, a sports injury, or chronic heel pain that has persisted for months, our team offers same-week appointments and a thorough approach to getting you back on your feet.
Conditions We Treat for Flint-Area Patients
Heel pain is one of the most common reasons patients from Genesee County seek podiatric care. Plantar fasciitis — the inflammation of the plantar fascia at its insertion into the heel bone — causes the classic stabbing pain at the first steps in the morning. We provide a thorough treatment ladder from stretching and orthotics through corticosteroid injections, shockwave therapy, and plantar fascia release surgery when conservative measures are exhausted.
Diabetic foot care is a priority for our Genesee County patients. Diabetes affects a significant portion of the Flint-area population, and the combination of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage causing reduced sensation) and peripheral arterial disease (reduced circulation) puts diabetic feet at serious risk for wounds, infection, and amputation. Regular preventive podiatric visits — nail care, foot exams, callus removal — and prompt wound care can prevent minor foot problems from becoming limb-threatening emergencies.
Bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, flat feet, and ankle sprains that do not heal are among the many other conditions we treat for patients making the trip from the Flint area to our Howell office.
Serving Flint, Flushing, Clio, Linden, and Surrounding Areas
Flint is the largest city in Genesee County and has a large population of working families, retirees, and patients with complex medical needs. Many Flint-area residents choose to travel to Livingston County for specialty care, particularly along the US-23 and I-75 corridors that provide direct access to our Howell office.
Our scheduling team can help coordinate appointments to minimize travel burden, and we offer early morning and extended hours on select days to accommodate patients traveling from a distance. The drive from central Flint to our Howell office is approximately 40–50 minutes in typical traffic — a worthwhile journey for patients who want board-certified, comprehensive foot and ankle care.
Insurance Accepted
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid. We will verify your specific benefits before your appointment so there are no billing surprises. For questions about coverage, call our office at (810) 206-1402.
Book Your Appointment
Don’t let foot or ankle pain limit your life. Patients from Flint, Genesee County, and the surrounding region are welcome at Balance Foot & Ankle. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online through our website to schedule your first appointment. We look forward to providing expert care for you and your family.
Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, 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
Get Directions →
Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Get Directions →
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.
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)
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.
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.