Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
Quick Answer:
Quick Answer: Balance Foot & Ankle, led by Dr. Tom Biernacki, serves patients throughout West Michigan including Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, Grandville, and surrounding Kent County communities. Dr. Biernacki is board-certified in podiatric medicine and surgery, specializing in heel pain, bunions, ingrown toenails, sports injuries, diabetic foot care, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Call (810) 955-5700 to schedule at the most convenient location for Grand Rapids and Kent County patients.
Grand Rapids — Michigan’s second-largest city and the heart of West Michigan’s thriving economy — is home to hundreds of thousands of residents who need expert foot and ankle care from a specialist with the training and experience to handle everything from common problems to complex reconstructive surgery. Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle serves Grand Rapids and Kent County patients with board-certified podiatric medicine and surgery.
Podiatric Services for Grand Rapids and West Michigan
Balance Foot & Ankle provides comprehensive foot and ankle care for Kent County patients including plantar fasciitis and heel pain treatment, bunion and hammertoe correction with minimally invasive techniques, ingrown toenail management, diabetic foot monitoring and wound care, ankle sprain and ligament instability treatment, Achilles tendinopathy management, stress fracture diagnosis and treatment, flat foot management with custom orthotics, PTTD and adult flatfoot reconstruction, toenail fungus treatment, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.
West Michigan’s Healthcare-Savvy Patient Population
Grand Rapids is home to major healthcare systems and a population that values quality, evidence-based medical care. Dr. Biernacki’s YouTube-driven patient education approach resonates particularly well with West Michigan patients who research their conditions before appointments and want substantive clinical conversations about their options. Dr. Biernacki reviews imaging with patients at the appointment, discusses all treatment options honestly, and helps Grand Rapids patients make fully informed decisions about their foot health.
Accessible to All of West Michigan
Call (810) 955-5700 to schedule. Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health, and most major commercial insurance plans are accepted. New patients from Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, Grandville, and throughout West Michigan are welcome.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
New Balance 860 Stability Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Classic stability running shoe with medial post and supportive midsole — recommended for Grand Rapids area runners with overpronation, plantar fasciitis, and medial arch fatigue.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist has recommended New Balance stability shoes for years — my heel pain is manageable with these and custom orthotics.”
Best for: West Michigan runners with pronation and plantar fasciitis; everyday athletic footwear with arch support
Not ideal for: neutral or supinated runners who don’t need stability control
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thera-Band Foot Roller Massage Ball
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Textured massage ball for plantar fascia and arch self-treatment — used for 5 minutes of plantar release before first morning steps to reduce plantar fasciitis first-step pain.
Dr. Tom says: “Rolling the arch of my foot before I get out of bed completely changed my morning routine — the first-step pain is almost gone.”
Best for: plantar fasciitis self-management; arch massage; Grand Rapids patients needing home PT support
Not ideal for: acute plantar fascia tears where massage may worsen injury
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Board-certified foot and ankle surgeon serving Grand Rapids and all of West Michigan
- Priority Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and most major West Michigan insurance plans accepted
- Evidence-based specialist care aligned with Grand Rapids’ high healthcare standards
❌ Cons / Risks
- Travel to the nearest Balance Foot & Ankle location may be required for some West Michigan patients
- Complex surgical cases requiring specific OR capabilities may need additional scheduling coordination
- High patient volume in West Michigan may extend wait times for elective consultations
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Grand Rapids is a dynamic, growing city with a lot of active people — from the GR Marathon community to West Michigan’s thriving sports culture to factory and warehouse workers dealing with occupational foot stress. The patient population there is well-informed and engaged with their healthcare, which makes for great appointments. I want Grand Rapids patients to know that expert foot and ankle care is accessible to them — you don’t have to choose between quality and convenience.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dr. Biernacki serve Grand Rapids and Kent County?
Yes — Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients throughout West Michigan. Call (810) 955-5700 to schedule.
Does Dr. Biernacki accept Priority Health insurance?
Yes — Priority Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and most major commercial insurance plans common in Grand Rapids and West Michigan are accepted.
Can Dr. Biernacki treat adult flatfoot for Grand Rapids patients?
Yes — PTTD evaluation, custom orthotic prescription, and flatfoot reconstruction surgery are all provided for West Michigan patients.
Does Dr. Biernacki perform bunion surgery for Grand Rapids patients?
Yes — bunion correction including minimally invasive surgical techniques is performed for patients throughout Michigan.
How quickly can Grand Rapids area patients get appointments?
Urgent cases within 24–48 hours; routine appointments within 1–2 weeks. Call (810) 955-5700.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
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Same-week appointments · Howell & Bloomfield Hills
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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.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
- Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)