Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
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.
Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Mount Pleasant Michigan Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Foot & Ankle Care for Mount Pleasant, Michigan Residents
Mount Pleasant is a city of approximately 20,000 permanent residents in Isabella County (plus approximately 18,000 Central Michigan University students during the academic year). Located at the intersection of US-127 and M-20, Mount Pleasant is the largest city in the Central Michigan region and serves as the Isabella County hub for healthcare, education, and commerce. Residents of Mount Pleasant, Union Township, and the broader Isabella County region have access to comprehensive podiatric care through Balance Foot & Ankle and Dr. Tom Biernacki.
Foot Conditions Treated in the Mount Pleasant Area
Mount Pleasant’s diverse population — college students, working adults, CMU faculty and staff, retirees, and the regional rural population — creates a wide spectrum of podiatric needs:
- Student and athlete foot injuries — CMU’s athletic programs and the active student population generate ankle sprains, stress fractures, tendinopathies, and overuse injuries. Dr. Biernacki provides sports medicine-focused podiatric care with return-to-sport planning.
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain — extremely prevalent across all age groups. Conservative treatment with orthotics, injection, and stretching protocols produces resolution in most patients.
- Diabetic foot care — Isabella County has a significant diabetic population including both the general adult population and Native American community members served by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and Nimkee Memorial Wellness Center.
- Bunions and hammertoes — managed conservatively; surgical consultation for progressive deformity.
- Pediatric foot conditions — flatfoot, Sever’s disease, and juvenile deformities in Isabella County’s school-age population.
- Custom orthotics — prescribed for athletic performance, occupational standing, and biomechanical correction across a many conditions.
Serving CMU Students and Athletes
Central Michigan University’s student population and intercollegiate athletic programs represent a significant podiatric need in Mount Pleasant. Dr. Biernacki provides sports-specific evaluation and treatment for student-athletes, including return-to-sport planning, custom orthotics for athletic footwear, stress fracture management, and ankle instability assessment. Students can be seen without a referral and most insurance plans covering CMU students are accepted.
About Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Mount Pleasant was incorporated in 1875 and grew as a county seat and regional commercial center. Central Michigan University (founded 1892) is the city’s dominant employer and cultural institution. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan is headquartered in Mount Pleasant at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, and the tribe operates Nimkee Memorial Wellness Center providing healthcare to tribal members. The Chippewa River passes through the city and Isabella County. US-127 provides efficient north-south access through central Michigan, connecting Mount Pleasant to Clare and Harrison to the north and Alma and Ithaca to the south.
Getting to Balance Foot & Ankle from Mount Pleasant
Patients from Mount Pleasant traveling to Balance Foot & Ankle typically route south on US-127 to I-69 east, connecting to the Genesee County clinic. Drive time is approximately 65–75 minutes. Telehealth consultation is available for initial non-urgent evaluations, reducing travel for straightforward cases. Our scheduling team will identify the most convenient clinic location and appointment time for Isabella County patients.
Insurance and Access
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid (Healthy Michigan Plan). CMU student health insurance plans are also accepted — call to confirm your specific plan. No referral required. Same-week appointments typically available. Book online 24/7 or call during business hours.
Dr. Tom’s Product Recommendations
Salomon Speedcross 6 Trail Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Aggressive lug-sole trail running shoe with strong ankle containment and midfoot stability. Recommended for trail runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes with ankle instability or chronic sprain history.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist recommended trail shoes with better ankle containment after my third ankle sprain — the Speedcross has been a game-changer for off-trail confidence.”
Trail running, hiking, ankle instability, off-road sport
Aggressive lug sole not designed for road running; may accelerate ankle fatigue on flat hard surfaces
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
KT Tape Pro Synthetic Kinesiology Tape
⭐ Highly Rated
Synthetic kinesiology tape for ankle, Achilles, and plantar fascia support in student-athletes and active patients. Waterproof and wearable for 3–5 days per application.
Dr. Tom says: “My athletic trainer used this on my ankle sprain and it gave me enough support to continue practicing while it healed.”
Ankle sprains, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis taping, athletic support
Kinesiology tape is a supportive adjunct — not a substitute for formal bracing in unstable ankle injuries
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Comprehensive podiatric care accessible to Mount Pleasant and CMU students without requiring travel to Flint or Lansing
- Sports medicine-focused approach for CMU student-athletes and the active Isabella County population
- Telehealth option reduces travel burden for non-urgent consultations from central Michigan
❌ Cons / Risks
- Drive time from Mount Pleasant is 65–75 minutes — telehealth reduces this burden for non-urgent evaluations
- Complex cases requiring hospital-level intervention may need coordination with McLaren Central Michigan or Sparrow Hospital
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Mount Pleasant is a vibrant college city with a really diverse patient population — student-athletes with stress fractures, CMU faculty with long-standing plantar fasciitis, retirees managing bunions, and members of the Saginaw Chippewa community dealing with diabetic foot complications. When patients from central Isabella County make the drive to see me, I want the visit to address everything relevant — diagnosis, imaging, treatment, orthotics — so the trip pays off. And for non-urgent follow-ups, telehealth makes it easy to check in without another long drive.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a podiatrist near Mount Pleasant Michigan?
Balance Foot & Ankle serves Mount Pleasant and Isabella County from its Genesee County location, approximately 65–75 minutes south via US-127. Telehealth consultations are available for non-urgent initial evaluations and follow-up care.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle accept CMU student insurance?
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans. CMU students should call our office to confirm their specific student health plan is in-network before scheduling. Many CMU student plans are accepted.
Can I get evaluated for a potential stress fracture at Balance Foot & Ankle?
Yes. Weight-bearing digital x-rays are available in our clinic for stress fracture evaluation. When x-ray is inconclusive, MRI is ordered for definitive diagnosis. Return-to-sport guidance is provided based on fracture type and healing status.
Do you treat ankle sprains from recreational sports?
Yes. Ankle sprains are among our most common presentations. We provide x-ray to exclude fracture, grade the sprain, prescribe appropriate bracing, and provide a rehabilitation plan for return to sport. Chronic instability from recurrent sprains is also evaluated and treated.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
4.9★ rated | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Same-week appointments · Howell & Bloomfield Hills
📞 (810) 206-1402 Book Online →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.
Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available
Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills. Whether you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
Ready to get relief? Book an appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle or call (810) 206-1402. Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI.
Find a Board-Certified Podiatrist (American Podiatric Medical Association)
Ready to Get Relief?
Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
4.9★ | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Or call: (810) 206-1402
📋 Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS answers:
No referral is needed to see our podiatrist near Mount Pleasant. You can call or book online directly. Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Blue Cross, Medicare, Aetna, Priority Health, and United Healthcare. We treat the full range of foot and ankle conditions including plantar fasciitis, bunions, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care, neuropathy, and sports injuries. Our board-certified DPM provides both conservative and surgical care. Same-week and urgent appointments are available for residents of the Mount Pleasant area.
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.