Quick answer: How to choose podiatrist michigan the right way: 1) prepare the area properly, 2) use the correct technique demonstrated by a podiatrist, 3) avoid the common mistakes that worsen the problem. We see complications in clinic from improper home care. The full step-by-step guide below shows the right method. Call (810) 206-1402.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Last reviewed: April 2026 · Editorial Policy
The most important clinical decision with How To Choose Podiatrist Michigan isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Quick Answer
How to Choose a Podiatrist in Michigan 2026 DPM relates to foot pain — typically caused by overuse, footwear, or biomechanics. Most patients improve in 6-12 weeks with conservative care. Same-week appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Hills: (810) 206-1402.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.
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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
Choosing a podiatrist is an important decision — not all podiatrists have the same training, surgical experience, or subspecialty focus. Understanding what credentials, training, and practice characteristics to look for helps patients find the provider best suited to their specific foot problem. This guide from Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle in Southeast Michigan explains what board certification means, what questions to ask when choosing a podiatrist, and what distinguishes a qualified foot and ankle surgeon from a general foot care provider.
Understanding Podiatric Credentials
DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine): the degree title for a podiatrist — requires 4 years of podiatric medical school after completion of a bachelor’s degree, followed by 2–3 years of surgical residency training. Not all DPMs have the same residency training or surgical scope. Residency: PMSR/RRA (Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency with Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle credential) is the most comprehensive training pathway — includes reconstructive foot AND ankle surgery, trauma, Charcot reconstruction, and complex deformity correction. CPME-approved 3-year residencies are the standard for surgically-focused podiatrists. Shorter residencies may limit rearfoot and ankle surgical scope. Board certification: ABFAS (American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery) certification is divided into two categories: FACFAS (Fellow) indicates completed board certification in reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery — the highest credential for complex surgical training; FACFAOM indicates board certification in podiatric medicine (non-surgical). A podiatrist performing ankle surgery should have FACFAS credentials and documented reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgical volume. Hospital privileges: a podiatrist with hospital surgical privileges has met credentialing committee scrutiny beyond self-credentialing — this is an independent verification of surgical training and competence. Dr. Tom Biernacki is FACFAS board-certified with hospital surgical privileges in Southeast Michigan.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Podiatrist
For general podiatric care: Are you accepting new patients? Do you take my insurance? What is the typical wait time for a new patient appointment? Is the practice focused on routine care (nail care, orthotics) or does it also offer surgical and advanced diagnostic capabilities? For surgical consultations: Are you board certified (FACFAS)? What is your annual volume of this specific procedure? Where do you perform surgery — outpatient surgery center, hospital, or office? What is your complication rate for this procedure? What are all my options, including non-surgical? Red flags: a podiatrist who recommends surgery at the first visit without a documented conservative treatment trial (except for clear-cut surgical indications); a podiatrist who cannot explain what surgical procedure they plan to perform or why it is preferred over alternatives; vague post-operative protocols without specific milestones; and any provider who discourages you from seeking a second opinion.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon for foot problems?
Board-certified podiatric surgeons (DPM, FACFAS) and fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons (MD/DO) are both qualified to treat complex foot and ankle conditions and perform foot and ankle surgery. The practical differences: podiatrists have 4 years of dedicated foot and ankle medical school + 3-year residency specifically in foot and ankle — their entire training is foot/ankle focused. Orthopedic surgeons have broader musculoskeletal training (all joints) with variable foot/ankle subspecialty exposure — a fellowship-trained foot/ankle orthopaedic surgeon has 1 additional year of focused training. For most foot and ankle conditions including surgery, the individual surgeon’s experience, volume, and outcomes matter more than whether they hold a DPM or MD degree. Both types of providers refer between specialties for cases outside their training or experience.
Does a podiatrist need to be board certified?
Board certification is voluntary in podiatry — there is no legal requirement to be board-certified to practice or perform surgery. However, ABFAS board certification (FACFAS) is the standard credential for podiatric surgeons performing reconstructive rearfoot and ankle procedures, and most hospital credentialing committees require or strongly prefer FACFAS certification for surgical privileges. For routine podiatric care (nail care, orthotics, wound care), board certification is less critical. For any elective surgical procedure, verifying FACFAS certification and asking about procedure-specific volume is appropriate due diligence.
How do I find a podiatrist in Southeast Michigan who accepts my insurance?
Three reliable methods: (1) Your insurer’s online provider directory — search for “podiatrist” in your zip code with your plan selected; call to verify the provider is still in-network before scheduling (directories are often outdated); (2) Call Balance Foot & Ankle directly at (810) 206-1402 — we verify insurance coverage at the time of scheduling and can confirm in-network status for most major Michigan plans; (3) APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Find a Podiatrist tool at apma.org — allows filtering by specialty, location, and some insurance plans. Balance Foot & Ankle is in-network with Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, HAP, and Humana.
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Looking for a board-certified podiatrist in Southeast Michigan? Contact Balance Foot & Ankle — Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS accepts new patients with same-week scheduling. Call (810) 206-1402.
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Our board-certified podiatrists treat this condition at two convenient locations. Same-day appointments often available.
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave, #208
Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Book Your AppointmentPros & Cons of Conservative Care for foot care
Advantages
- ✓ Conservative care first
- ✓ Same-week appointments
- ✓ Multiple insurance accepted
Considerations
- ✗ Self-treatment can mask issues
- ✗ See a podiatrist if pain >2 weeks
Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for foot care
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we use with patients.
Footnanny Heel Cream Dr. Tom’s Pick
Best for: Daily moisturizer for cracked heels
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-day appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Hills. Most insurance accepted. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM & team.
Book Today — Same-Day Appointments Available
Call Now: (810) 206-1402
About Your Care Team at Balance Foot & Ankle
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon. Specializes in conservative-first care, minimally invasive bunion surgery, and complex reconstruction.
Dr. Carl Jay, DPM · Accepting new patients. Specializes in sports medicine, athletic injuries, and routine podiatric care.
Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM, AACFAS · Accepting new patients. Specializes in surgical reconstruction and pediatric podiatry.
Locations: 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 · 43494 Woodward Ave Suite 208, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · (810) 206-1402
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
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Natural topical pain relief I use in our clinic. Arnica + camphor formula — apply directly to the area 3–4x daily. ($20–25)
Shop Doctor Hoy’s →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this take?
Most home protocols take 5-15 minutes per session. Improvement visible in 2-4 weeks with consistent application.
When should I stop and see a doctor?
Stop and see a podiatrist if you see redness spreading, pus, increased pain, or fever. These signal infection requiring professional care.
Can I do this if I have diabetes?
Diabetic patients should consult a podiatrist before home foot care. Reduced sensation can hide complications.
Our podiatrists treat the underlying cause, not just the symptom. Same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan offices.
Ready for Expert Care?
Same-day appointments 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.