Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI Last reviewed: May 2026
MICHIGAN PODIATRIST INSIGHT
Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-day appointments for urgent foot and ankle conditions across Southeast Michigan — but the most important factor in outcomes isn’t getting seen quickly. Our podiatrists explain what to do in the first 24-48 hours before your appointment that most patients skip entirely. Call (810) 206-1402 — expert podiatric care across Michigan.
Dr. Tom Biernacki welcomes Lansing Michigan and Ingham County patients to Balance Foot & Ankle for expert foot and ankle care.
Podiatric Care for Lansing, Michigan Residents
Lansing — Michigan’s capital city and Ingham County’s largest community — is home to a diverse population of state workers, Michigan State University students and staff, industrial employees, and active families. Balance Foot & Ankle with Dr. Tom Biernacki provides comprehensive foot and ankle care to Lansing, East Lansing, Meridian Township, Delta Township, and surrounding Ingham County communities. Our southeast Michigan practice is accessible from Lansing via I-96 and offers a level of personalized podiatric care that large urban hospital clinics rarely provide.
Conditions We Treat for Lansing Area Patients
Lansing and Ingham County patients come to Dr. Biernacki with the full range of podiatric concerns. Plantar fasciitis and heel pain are the most common presentations, along with bunions, hammertoes, ankle instability, diabetic foot complications, ingrown toenails, fungal nails, flat feet, and sports-related injuries. MSU students and Lansing’s athletic community contribute a significant sports medicine caseload including stress fractures, ankle sprains, Achilles tendinopathy, and overuse injuries from running and team sports.
Diabetic Foot Care for Lansing and Ingham County
Lansing and Ingham County have a substantial diabetic population, and Dr. Biernacki’s diabetic foot care program is designed to prevent the devastating cascade from neuropathy to ulcer to amputation. Comprehensive diabetic foot evaluations, vascular assessment, callus and nail management, custom diabetic footwear, and wound care services are all available. Early, regular podiatric visits are the single most effective intervention for preventing diabetic foot complications.
MSU and Lansing Athletic Community
Michigan State University and Lansing’s extensive recreational sports leagues generate a meaningful volume of sports medicine consultations. Dr. Biernacki treats student athletes, competitive runners, cyclists, and weekend athletes for acute and overuse foot and ankle injuries. We provide return-to-play documentation, coordinate with athletic trainers, and design sport-specific rehabilitation programs to minimize time away from training and competition.
Schedule Your Lansing Appointment
Lansing and Ingham County patients can reach Balance Foot & Ankle via I-96 eastbound. Call (734) 479-0710 or book online. Most major Michigan insurance plans including BCBS, Aetna, Medicare, and Medicaid are accepted. Same-week appointments are frequently available — let Dr. Biernacki help you get back on your feet.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Saucony Guide 17 Stability Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Reliable stability running shoe with medial post and comfortable cushioning — a podiatrist-approved choice for Lansing overpronating runners recovering from plantar fasciitis or flat foot pain.
Dr. Tom says:“”My podiatrist recommended Saucony Guide for my flat feet — excellent stability without feeling rigid.” — Lansing area runner”
✅ Best for Lansing runners with flat feet or overpronation needing stable daily trainer during foot pain recovery
⚠️ Not ideal for Neutral foot type runners who pronate minimally — a neutral shoe is more appropriate
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Bauerfeind Sports Ankle Support
⭐ Highly Rated
Medical-grade knit ankle support with viscoelastic pads — provides compression, proprioceptive feedback, and mild lateral stability for Lansing patients returning to sport after ankle sprain.
Dr. Tom says:“”Best ankle support I’ve used — my podiatrist recommended Bauerfeind after my ankle sprain.” — Ingham County athlete”
✅ Best for Lansing athletes recovering from ankle sprains who need graduated return-to-sport support
⚠️ Not ideal for Those with significant mechanical instability requiring a rigid ASO-type brace or Brostrom reconstruction
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
Serving Lansing, East Lansing, and all of Ingham County
Sports medicine expertise for MSU community and Lansing athletes
Comprehensive diabetic foot prevention program
I-96 access from Lansing and convenient scheduling
❌ Cons / Risks
35–45 minute drive from downtown Lansing
High patient volume may require advance booking for non-urgent appointments
Dr
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Lansing is a great community with a ton of athletes — MSU runners, recreational cyclists, and state employees who stand on their feet all day. I see a lot of motivated patients who just want a clear answer about what’s wrong and how to fix it. If you’re a Lansing-area patient dealing with foot or ankle pain, don’t let the drive discourage you — we’re worth it, and we’ll take excellent care of you.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Balance Foot & Ankle from Lansing, MI?
Downtown Lansing is approximately 35–45 minutes from our southeast Michigan office via I-96 eastbound. East Lansing and Meridian Township patients are slightly closer. We offer early morning appointments to accommodate working Lansing patients.
Does Dr. Biernacki accept Ingham County insurance plans?
Yes — we accept most major Michigan insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid. MSU employees may have BCBS or other state employee insurance — please call to confirm in-network status.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle treat MSU student athletes?
Yes — Dr. Biernacki treats MSU students and athletes for foot and ankle injuries. We can coordinate with MSU’s athletic medicine program and provide return-to-sport documentation as needed.
Can I get custom orthotics near Lansing, MI?
Custom prescription orthotics are one of our most popular services for Lansing patients. Dr. Biernacki performs a complete biomechanical evaluation before creating your custom devices — the process takes one appointment for evaluation and a follow-up for fitting.
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.
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.
Balance Foot & Ankle surgeons are affiliated with Trinity Health Michigan, Corewell Health, and Henry Ford Health — three of Michigan’s largest health systems.
