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

Temperance, Michigan — the active unincorporated community at the heart of Bedford Township in northern Monroe County — is home to one of southeastern Michigan’s fastest-growing suburban populations. Residents of Temperance, Bedford Township, and the surrounding Monroe County communities lead active family and professional lives where healthy, pain-free feet are essential. When foot or ankle problems develop, Balance Foot & Ankle and Dr. Tom Biernacki provide specialist podiatric care accessible via the I-75 corridor.
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Temperance Michigan Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Expert Podiatric Care for Bedford Township Residents
Dr. Biernacki brings extensive training in foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine podiatry, and diabetic foot care to every patient encounter. Temperance residents find a practice where thoroughness is the standard — comprehensive history, precise clinical examination, appropriate imaging, and a treatment plan that addresses the actual problem rather than chasing symptoms. Whether the concern is a child’s heel pain during soccer season, a runner’s Achilles problem, or a senior’s diabetic wound, the diagnostic and treatment approach is calibrated to the individual patient’s condition and goals.
Heel Pain and Arch Conditions
Heel pain from plantar fasciitis is among the most common podiatric conditions affecting Temperance’s active, suburban population. Morning heel pain, arch aching after prolonged sitting, and activity-related discomfort all respond to a structured treatment protocol when properly diagnosed. Dr. Biernacki’s plantar fasciitis approach includes biomechanical assessment, targeted stretching instruction, custom orthotic prescription, anti-inflammatory measures, and — for resistant cases — shockwave therapy and PRP injection. The goal is resolving the condition completely, not managing symptoms indefinitely.
Nail and Skin Conditions
Ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, and skin conditions including plantar warts, corns, and calluses are everyday podiatric concerns for Bedford Township residents. Dr. Biernacki’s in-office procedures address these conditions with precision and minimal patient discomfort. Permanent ingrown toenail correction through phenol matrixectomy resolves recurring ingrown nails definitively. Multi-modal fungal nail treatment combines the most effective available agents for nail fungus of all severities. Plantar wart treatment employs the most current ablative protocols for rapid, definitive resolution.
Children’s Foot Care
Temperance and Bedford Township families bring their children to Balance Foot & Ankle for a full range of pediatric foot conditions. Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) — the most common cause of heel pain in athletic children ages 8–14 — responds well to activity modification, heel lifts, and targeted physical therapy. Juvenile bunions and flat feet receive evaluation with an emphasis on monitoring versus intervention appropriate to the child’s skeletal maturity. Ingrown toenails in children and adolescents are managed with the same careful technique as adults, with additional attention to minimizing procedure anxiety. Young athletes competing in Bedford’s robust school sports programs receive sports medicine podiatric care that respects competition schedules while protecting long-term structural health.
Surgical Services When Needed
When conservative care has been exhausted and surgery offers the best path to lasting relief, Dr. Biernacki performs a comprehensive range of foot and ankle procedures. Bunion correction, hammertoe repair, plantar fascia release, tarsal tunnel decompression, Achilles tendon repair, and ankle ligament reconstruction are among the procedures available. Preoperative planning is meticulous — Dr. Biernacki uses weight-bearing X-ray analysis, MRI findings, and patient-specific functional goals to select the optimal surgical approach for each individual. Recovery planning and postoperative follow-through ensure patients reach full functional goals, not just initial wound healing.
Reaching Balance Foot & Ankle from Temperance
Temperance and Bedford Township residents access Balance Foot & Ankle via I-75 northbound — a direct route connecting northern Monroe County to our Macomb County office in under 45 minutes for most Temperance-area addresses. Online booking at michiganfootdoctors.com provides convenient scheduling with same-week availability for urgent conditions. New patients are welcome, and Dr. Biernacki accepts most major Michigan insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, and many others.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Brooks Ghost 15 Running Shoes
⭐ Highly Rated
Podiatrist-recommended neutral running shoes with excellent cushioning and reliable arch support geometry. A top choice for Temperance-area runners managing plantar fasciitis, arch fatigue, or returning to training after a foot condition.
Dr. Tom says: “”My podiatrist has recommended Brooks for years — the Ghost is the perfect combination of cushion and support for my heel pain.””
Running with plantar fasciitis, neutral arch running, daily training footwear for Michigan runners
Neutral shoe — overpronators may need a motion control or stability model instead
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Powerstep Pinnacle Shoe Insoles
⭐ Highly Rated
Firm-shell OTC orthotics with dual-layer cushioning and structured arch support — a strong first-line orthotic for Temperance patients before custom devices, suitable for plantar fasciitis, flat arches, and general foot fatigue.
Dr. Tom says: “”These insoles made an immediate difference in my morning heel pain — I wear them in everything from work shoes to sneakers.””
Plantar fasciitis, flat arches, heel pain, pre-custom orthotic support
OTC device — not a substitute for custom orthotics in biomechanically complex cases
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Direct I-75 access makes Temperance one of the most conveniently located Monroe County communities for our practice
- Family-friendly practice treating patients from children through seniors with age-appropriate care
- Full surgical capability — Temperance patients don’t need to travel to Detroit for complex foot and ankle surgery
- Most major Michigan insurance plans accepted — straightforward access without coverage obstacles
❌ Cons / Risks
- Drive time — while among the closer Monroe County communities, Temperance still requires planning for travel
- High patient demand — advance booking recommended for elective new patient appointments
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Temperance is a community I see growing rapidly — great schools, active families, competitive youth sports. The foot problems I see from Bedford Township reflect that active lifestyle: kids with Sever’s disease from year-round club sports, parents with plantar fasciitis from coaching and commuting, grandparents with nail conditions they’ve managed badly for too long. What I love most is that I can treat the whole family — from the 10-year-old soccer player to the 70-year-old diabetic patient — under one roof, with the same commitment to finding what’s actually wrong and fixing it properly.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Temperance closer to your office than Monroe city?
Yes — Temperance and Bedford Township’s northern location makes it one of the closer Monroe County communities to our Macomb County office. The I-75 connection makes the route straightforward. Most Temperance residents reach us in 35–45 minutes depending on traffic and exact starting point.
Do you treat Sever’s disease in young athletes?
Yes — Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is one of the most common pediatric conditions we treat, and it’s very common in Bedford Township’s active youth sports population. Treatment involves heel lifts, activity modification, targeted stretching, and occasionally a short period of rest or immobilization for severe cases. Most children return to full athletic participation within 4–8 weeks with proper management.
Can you help with my child’s flat feet?
Pediatric flat feet are evaluated carefully, distinguishing flexible physiologic flatfoot (which typically does not require treatment) from rigid pathological flatfoot that may benefit from intervention. Dr. Biernacki assesses arch flexibility, subtalar motion, and any associated pain or functional limitation. Many children with flexible flat feet are monitored without active treatment; those with painful flat feet or functional limitation benefit from custom orthotics and targeted physical therapy.
What payment options are available for Temperance patients?
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major Michigan insurance plans. For services not covered by insurance — including some elective orthotics, cosmetic nail treatments, or therapies with variable coverage like LLLT — we offer transparent out-of-pocket pricing and payment plans. Our front desk team verifies insurance benefits before your visit so there are no financial surprises.
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. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
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Or call: (810) 206-1402
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.