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 Nashville 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 Nashville, Michigan
Nashville is a small community in Barry County, Michigan, situated along the Thornapple River corridor. Residents of Nashville and surrounding communities — including Woodland, Hastings, Freeport, Delton, and the rural townships of southeast Barry County — access specialized podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell, Michigan. Dr. Tom Biernacki is a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon providing comprehensive specialist foot care to patients throughout rural west-central Michigan.
The Nashville area’s agricultural and outdoor recreational character creates a patient population with the characteristic foot health demands of rural Michigan — plantar fasciitis from occupational standing and walking, nail conditions from work boot trauma, diabetic foot complications, and sports injuries from outdoor recreation. Balance Foot & Ankle delivers evidence-based specialist care for all of these conditions and more.
Conditions Treated for Nashville and Barry County Patients
Heel pain management is central to our practice. Plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of heel pain in adults, is treated with a structured protocol including custom orthotics, stretching programs, injection therapy, and shockwave therapy (ESWT) for chronic cases failing conventional management. Achilles tendinopathy — both midportion and insertional — is evaluated and managed with biomechanical assessment and targeted rehabilitation. Fat pad syndrome, Baxter nerve entrapment, and calcaneal stress fractures are distinguished from plantar fasciitis through careful examination and imaging, ensuring correct diagnosis and treatment.
Nail conditions including ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, and traumatic nail injuries are treated with in-office procedures and medical management. Forefoot conditions including bunions, hammertoes, Morton’s neuroma, and metatarsalgia are evaluated and managed. Ankle conditions including sprains, chronic instability, peroneal tendinopathy, and post-fracture rehabilitation round out the comprehensive service scope. Diabetic foot exams, neuropathy screening, and wound care serve Barry County’s diabetic population.
Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Heel Pain
For Nashville-area patients with chronic plantar fasciitis or insertional Achilles tendinopathy that has not responded to stretching, orthotics, and injection, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is an effective non-surgical option. ESWT delivers acoustic pressure waves to chronically injured tendon tissue, stimulating blood vessel growth, growth factor release, and tissue repair. It is FDA-cleared for chronic plantar fasciitis and achieves 60–80% good-to-excellent outcomes in published trials. Dr. Biernacki performs a series of weekly ESWT sessions in the office, allowing patients to continue normal activity between treatments.
Getting to Balance Foot & Ankle from Nashville
From Nashville, travel east on M-43 approximately 50–55 miles to Howell, Michigan. Balance Foot & Ankle is conveniently located in Howell with ample parking. The drive from Nashville is typically 50–55 minutes via M-43 East. Patients from Woodland travel east on M-43. Call (517) 525-1747 to schedule and our team will provide specific directions. New patients from Nashville and throughout Barry County are always welcome.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Superfeet GREEN Insoles
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Plantar fasciitis; work boot arch support; occupational foot fatigue
Not a substitute for custom orthotics in structural deformity — interim use
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Profoot Orthotic Plantar Fasciitis Insole
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Contoured arch support with targeted plantar fascia tension relief groove — designed specifically for plantar fasciitis. Features a heel cup and forefoot cushioning in a low-profile daily shoe-compatible design.
Dr. Tom says: “These insoles with the targeted arch support helped my plantar fasciitis pain during my ESWT series — the combination was very effective.”
Plantar fasciitis during conservative care or ESWT; daily shoe arch support
Not equivalent to custom orthotics for biomechanical correction in complex foot types
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Nashville and the Thornapple River corridor of Barry County represents exactly the kind of community that benefits most from accessible podiatric specialist care. Agricultural workers, outdoor recreationalists, and families throughout this area have foot and ankle needs that deserve more than a quick urgent care visit — they deserve a specialist who understands the foot.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Nashville, Michigan from Balance Foot & Ankle?
Nashville is approximately 50–55 miles from our Howell office — about a 50–55 minute drive via M-43 East. Call (517) 525-1747 for specific directions from Nashville or surrounding Barry County communities.
Is shockwave therapy available at Balance Foot & Ankle?
Yes. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for chronic plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy is available in our office. A consultation to determine candidacy and verify insurance coverage precedes the treatment series. Most patients with chronic heel pain lasting more than 6 months are candidates.
Does Dr. Biernacki treat patients from the Woodland and Freeport area?
Yes. Patients from Woodland, Freeport, Delton, and all surrounding Barry County communities are welcome. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most major commercial insurance plans. New patients can call (517) 525-1747 to schedule.
Can I get treatment for a work-related foot injury at Balance Foot & Ankle?
Yes. Occupational foot injuries — including nail trauma from falling objects, plantar fasciitis from prolonged standing, stress fractures, and ankle injuries — are routinely treated. Workers’ compensation coordination is available when applicable. Call (517) 525-1747 to schedule.
What should I do for chronic heel pain that hasn’t improved after months of treatment?
If plantar fasciitis or heel pain has not resolved after 3–6 months of stretching, orthotics, and injection therapy, you may be a candidate for shockwave therapy (ESWT) or PRP injection. Both are available at Balance Foot & Ankle. A consultation including imaging review and clinical reassessment ensures we identify the right next step — including the possibility that the original diagnosis was incorrect.
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.
What is Foot pain?
Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.
Symptoms and warning signs
Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.
Conservative treatment options
Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.
When is surgery considered?
Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.
Recovery timeline and prevention
Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.
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.
Find a Board-Certified Podiatrist (American Podiatric Medical Association)
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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 Nashville. 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 Nashville 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.