Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Plantar fasciitis near Novi fails conservative treatment in 10% of cases — and the reason is almost always one of three things: the wrong stretching protocol, barefoot walking at home, or an undiagnosed Baxter’s nerve entrapment masquerading as plantar fasciitis. EPAT shockwave resolves most persistent cases without surgery. Call (810) 206-1402 — plantar fasciitis treatment in Novi.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Close to Novi, MI
That sharp stabbing pain when you take your first steps in the morning is one of the most recognizable symptoms in all of podiatry — plantar fasciitis. And yet it’s one of the most under-treated conditions we see, with patients spending months doing the wrong stretches in the wrong sequence. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we’ve helped Novi-area patients get lasting relief through accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
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- Relieves & Helps Prevent Pain: PowerStep Pinnacle High insoles for supination can help alleviate common foot conditions often linked to supination, including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, fat pad atrophy, and Morton’s neuroma.
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In our clinic, we use digital pressure mapping to identify which part of your arch is failing and why. This 10-minute scan changes everything — it’s the difference between recommending a generic cushioned insert and prescribing a custom orthotic with the exact posting needed to offload your inflamed fascia.
What Treatment Looks Like
We begin with the least invasive effective intervention. For most patients, this is custom 3D-printed orthotics combined with a specific stretching protocol — eccentric calf work, plantar fascia stretches on waking, and a short-term activity modification. For patients with significant inflammation, we may add anti-inflammatory injections or a short course of oral NSAIDs.
For plantar fasciitis that hasn’t responded to 8-12 weeks of conservative care, we offer extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), which uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in the fascia insertion. This in-office procedure requires no anesthesia and has a 70-80% success rate for chronic cases. Surgical options are reserved for the small percentage of patients who don’t respond to all other treatments.
Key takeaway: Do your plantar fascia stretches warm, not cold. Stretching a cold, stiff fascia first thing in the morning increases micro-tearing. Apply heat for 5 minutes before your first stretch of the day — this alone improves outcomes significantly.
Why Balance Foot & Ankle
Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM brings over a decade of clinical experience and 3,000+ surgeries to every patient evaluation. His YouTube channel — @MichiganFootDoctors — reaches nearly a million patients per year with honest, no-nonsense education about foot conditions. Our Bloomfield Township office serves the entire West Oakland County community including Novi, Wixom, South Lyon, and Milford.
⚠️ See a podiatrist if your heel pain:
- Hasn’t improved after 6 weeks of stretching and rest
- Is present at rest or during the night (not just first-step pain)
- Is accompanied by numbness or tingling in the heel
- Developed suddenly after a fall or impact
Insurance & Scheduling
Same-day appointments available. Directions from Novi: Take Haggerty Rd north to M-5 east, then Woodward Ave south. Office at 43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302 — approximately 15 minutes. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.
Ready to Get Relief?
Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
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Or call: (810) 206-1402
For a complete clinical overview: Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Guide — every treatment from stretching to surgery
How quickly can I get a podiatry appointment in Southeast Michigan?
Same-week appointments available at our Howell, Milford, Fenton, Hartland, and surrounding locations.
What does Balance Foot & Ankle specialize in?
Comprehensive foot and ankle care — plantar fasciitis, bunions, toenail conditions, ankle surgery, diabetic foot care, and custom orthotics.
📋 Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS answers:
Patients throughout Novi and Western Oakland County come to our Balance Foot and Ankle clinic for plantar fasciitis diagnosis and treatment. Plantar fasciitis is the most common foot condition we treat — the characteristic sharp inferior heel pain with the first steps in the morning that partially improves with walking is recognizable, but the underlying biomechanical drivers vary significantly between patients. Some cases stem from tight calf muscles that increase fascial traction at the calcaneal insertion. Others are driven by excessive pronation and arch collapse that overstretches the fascia under load. Occupational factors — long hours on hard concrete floors, sudden increases in standing time — frequently trigger first presentations. Our Novi-area patients benefit from a thorough biomechanical evaluation, weight-bearing X-ray to rule out stress fractures and measure heel spur development, and ultrasound imaging to assess fascial thickness and rule out partial tear when the presentation is atypical. Treatment is tailored to the individual: stretching protocols, custom orthotics, appropriate footwear changes, and when needed, corticosteroid injection or shockwave therapy. Most Novi patients achieve significant relief within 6 to 8 weeks of consistent conservative care. If you are in Novi, Northville, South Lyon, or the surrounding area and dealing with heel pain, contact our office for a same-week appointment.
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.
More questions patients ask
Where can I get Plantar Fasciitis treatment near Novi, MI?
Balance Foot & Ankle serves Novi, MI patients at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices. Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM provides same-day Plantar Fasciitis treatment. Call (810) 206-1402.
How far is Balance Foot & Ankle from Novi, MI?
Most Novi patients reach our Howell office (4330 E Grand River Ave) in 10–25 minutes. Bloomfield Township: 43494 Woodward Ave #208. Call (810) 206-1402 to book.
Does insurance cover Plantar Fasciitis treatment in Michigan?
Most PPO plans cover Plantar Fasciitis when medically indicated. We accept BCBS, Medicare Part B, and most Michigan insurers. Call (810) 206-1402 to verify coverage before your visit.
Who treats Plantar Fasciitis at Balance Foot & Ankle?
Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM (double-fellowship trained) leads Plantar Fasciitis care. Also: Dr. Carl Jay DPM and Dr. Daria Gutkin DPM AACFAS. Same-day appointments in Howell & Bloomfield Township. (810) 206-1402.
What is the fastest way to cure plantar fasciitis?
The fastest resolution comes from combining multiple treatments simultaneously: aggressive calf and plantar fascia stretching (Achilles stretch, towel stretch, plantar fascia-specific stretch before first steps), night splints to maintain dorsiflexion during sleep, custom orthotics or quality arch support, and activity modification. EPAT shockwave therapy accelerates healing in chronic cases with a 70u201380% success rate after 3 sessions. Relying on a single treatment (stretching alone, insoles alone) produces much slower results.
How long does plantar fasciitis last without treatment?
Untreated plantar fasciitis typically lasts 12u201318 months and often becomes chronic. With proper treatment, 90% of cases resolve within 12 months. The key distinction: plantar fasciitis that has been present for less than 6 weeks responds much faster to conservative care than chronic cases (3+ months), which have developed tendinopathic changes in the fascia that require more intensive intervention.
Is it OK to walk on plantar fasciitis?
Walking is generally acceptable with plantar fasciitis, provided it doesn't significantly worsen pain during or after activity. The goal is active recovery, not complete rest. However, high-impact activities (running, jumping) should be avoided during acute flares. Wearing supportive footwear at all times u2014 including first thing in the morning (never barefoot) u2014 is critical. Walking barefoot on hard floors is one of the most common reasons plantar fasciitis fails to resolve.
Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.