Quick answer: Pontiac Waterford Township Foot Doctor Podiatrist is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
▶ Watch
Pontiac & Waterford Township Foot Doctor | Balance Foot & Ankle
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
Patients from Pontiac, Waterford Township, Clarkston, Lake Orion, Auburn Hills, and throughout northern Oakland County are welcome at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our Bloomfield Hills office is conveniently accessible from these communities, providing expert podiatric care with prompt scheduling and a personalized approach. Dr. Thomas Bembynista and our team are accepting new patients and accepting most major insurance plans.
Serving Northern Oakland County and Surrounding Communities
Our Bloomfield Hills location is approximately 20-30 minutes from Pontiac, Waterford Township, and Clarkston, making it a convenient specialty podiatric option for northern Oakland County patients. We serve patients from Pontiac, Waterford, Clarkston, White Lake Township, Lake Orion, Oxford, Auburn Hills, and the surrounding area who need expert foot and ankle care without traveling to the Detroit Medical Center or Corewell Health (formerly Beaumont) Health systems.
Full-Scope Podiatric Services for Northern Oakland County
Balance Foot & Ankle provides comprehensive podiatric care for patients from the Pontiac and Waterford area. Our core services include plantar fasciitis and heel pain management (one of the most common reasons patients in all communities seek podiatric care), bunion correction including minimally invasive techniques, hammertoe and toe deformity correction, Morton’s neuroma treatment, ingrown toenail management, toenail fungus treatment, custom orthotics, diabetic foot care and wound management, ankle sprain and instability management, and complex surgical reconstruction.
Diabetic Foot Care for the Pontiac Community
Pontiac and northern Oakland County have significant rates of diabetes, obesity, and their associated complications. Diabetic foot disease is a leading cause of preventable hospitalization and non-traumatic amputation in our region. At Balance Foot & Ankle, comprehensive diabetic foot care is a core part of our practice — from annual preventive exams and neuropathy screening to active wound management and coordination with vascular surgery for patients with compromised circulation. If you have diabetes, a regular podiatry relationship is one of the most important things you can do to protect your long-term health and mobility.
Same-Week Appointments for Urgent Concerns
We work to see patients promptly, especially those with urgent issues like infections, suspected fractures, severe pain, or wounds that aren’t healing. Our team will work to accommodate your schedule and can often offer same-week appointments for new patients with urgent needs. Call (810) 206-1402 to discuss your situation — we want to help.
Insurance Accepted
We accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Priority Health, McLaren Health Plan, Medicare, and Medicaid. Our front desk team verifies benefits before your appointment so you understand your coverage. Self-pay patients are welcome — ask about our self-pay rates when calling. Book online or call (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment at our Bloomfield Hills office.
Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
📅 Book Online
📞 (810) 206-1402
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Get Directions →
Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Get Directions →
Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
More Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Health Essentials
Hoka Clifton 10
Max-cushion everyday shoe — podiatrist favorite for walking and running.
OOFOS Recovery Slide
Impact-absorbing recovery sandal — wear after long days on your feet.
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.
When to See a Podiatrist
If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills
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.
Same-day appointments available. (810) 206-1402
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel
Natural topical pain relief I use in our clinic. Arnica + camphor formula — apply directly to the area 3–4x daily. ($20–25)
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.
Ready to feel better?
Same-week appointments available in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
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.