Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle: Technology, Expertise, and Compassionate Care

Quick answer: Why Choose Michigan Foot Doctors affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice 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 Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

Related Conditions

Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle: Technology, Expertise, and Compassionate Care

Michigan’s Trusted Podiatric Care Team

Choosing a podiatrist is a personal decision. You want a practice that combines clinical excellence with genuine care, advanced technology with accessible appointments, and deep expertise with clear communication. Balance Foot & Ankle has built its reputation across Southeast Michigan by delivering on all of these things — and this page explains exactly why thousands of patients choose us every year.

Board-Certified Podiatric Physicians

Our doctors are board-certified podiatric physicians and surgeons who completed four years of podiatric medical school followed by surgical residency training in foot and ankle surgery. Board certification requires passing comprehensive written and oral examinations and demonstrating a high volume of surgical cases. It is the highest credential in podiatric medicine and the standard you should expect from any podiatric surgeon treating your feet.

Advanced Technology Under One Roof

We have invested in the diagnostic and treatment technologies that get patients better faster:

MLS Robotic Laser Therapy — FDA-cleared multiwave locked system laser accelerates healing of soft tissue injuries, neuropathy, and chronic pain conditions with no downtime.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) — High-energy acoustic waves stimulate healing in chronic plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and other stubborn tendon conditions without surgery.

3D Custom Orthotics — Digital scanning technology captures the precise geometry of your foot for orthotics fabricated to exact specifications, with faster turnaround than traditional casting methods.

In-Office Digital X-Ray — Weight-bearing digital X-rays taken in our office provide immediate, high-resolution images for accurate diagnosis without a separate radiology visit.

Gait Analysis — Video gait analysis identifies biomechanical contributors to pain and informs custom orthotic prescriptions and footwear recommendations.

Same-Day and Urgent Appointments

Foot pain does not follow a schedule. We offer same-day appointments for acute injuries, infections, and urgent conditions. If you wake up with a swollen, painful foot, you should not have to wait two weeks to be seen. Call us at (810) 206-1402 and we will get you in.

Two Convenient Michigan Locations

Howell Office: 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 — serving Brighton, Hartland, Fowlerville, Pinckney, and surrounding communities.

Bloomfield Hills Office: 43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302 — serving Troy, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Farmington Hills, and surrounding communities.

Comprehensive Insurance Acceptance

We accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, and most commercial carriers. We also handle workers compensation and auto no-fault cases. Our billing team verifies your benefits before your first appointment so there are no surprises.

Patient-Centered Care Philosophy

We believe patients deserve straight answers, full explanations, and genuine involvement in their own care decisions. We do not rush appointments. We explain your diagnosis, present all available treatment options with honest assessments of each, and respect your goals — whether that means conservative management or surgical correction. Our patients consistently tell us that our communication style sets us apart.

5-Star Rated Across Southeast Michigan

Our Google reviews speak for themselves. Patients consistently praise our thoroughness, our staff, our technology, and the outcomes we achieve. We are proud of the trust our community has placed in us and work every day to earn it.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Whether you are dealing with chronic heel pain, a sports injury, diabetic foot concerns, or a nail problem that has been bothering you for months, Balance Foot & Ankle is ready to help. Call us at (810) 206-1402, book online, or visit one of our two Michigan locations. Your feet deserve the best — and that is exactly what we deliver.

Why Michigan Patients Choose Balance Foot & Ankle for Their Podiatric Care

Michigan patients consistently choose Balance Foot & Ankle because we combine the clinical depth of a specialty practice with the accessibility and patient-centered culture of a community practice. Our podiatrists are fellowship-trained in foot and ankle surgery and provide the full spectrum of podiatric services — from conservative nail care and orthotic therapy for everyday foot problems to complex reconstructive surgery and diabetic limb salvage for high-complexity patients. Both of our Michigan locations — Howell at 4330 E Grand River (serving Livingston County) and Bloomfield Hills at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Oakland County) — offer convenient parking, in-office X-ray, and same-week appointments for most conditions. We accept all major Michigan insurance plans, verify benefits before appointments, and coordinate prior authorizations and referrals as needed. Our patient reviews consistently highlight clear communication, unhurried appointments, and effective treatment that resolves problems rather than managing them indefinitely. New patients from throughout Southeast Michigan are welcome to call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule.

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Related Treatment Guides

• Custom 3D Orthotics
• MLS Laser Therapy
• EPAT Shockwave Therapy

Michigan patients experiencing foot or ankle problems can schedule an appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle — with locations in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.

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Related Patient Guides

• 3D Custom Orthotics at Balance Foot & Ankle
• Biomechanical Gait Analysis: What It Reveals
• Your First Visit to Balance Foot & Ankle
• Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM: Your Podiatrist

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)

If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.

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?

See a podiatrist if: foot or ankle pain has lasted more than 2–4 weeks without improvement, you’re changing your gait to avoid pain, you have an open wound or sore that isn’t healing, you notice nail discoloration or thickening, you have diabetes and any foot concern, or pain is severe enough to wake you at night. Most foot conditions are easier and cheaper to treat early — what starts as a minor issue can become a surgical problem with months of delay.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon?

Podiatrists (DPM — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) specialize exclusively in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Orthopedic surgeons (MD/DO) have broader musculoskeletal training but variable foot/ankle subspecialization. For foot and ankle-specific problems, a podiatrist often has more focused training and experience. For injuries involving the leg above the ankle, complex pediatric cases, or multi-level reconstruction, orthopedic consultation may be appropriate. We frequently co-manage patients with orthopedic colleagues.

How do I know if my foot pain is serious?

Signs that warrant same-day or next-day evaluation: severe pain that appeared suddenly without clear cause, swelling, redness, and warmth that appeared suddenly (possible gout, infection, or Charcot fracture), an open wound that looks infected (redness spreading, pus, warmth), inability to bear weight, or any foot problem in a diabetic patient. Pain that’s been present for weeks and is stable is important but not an emergency — schedule within 1–2 weeks.

Can foot problems cause back and knee pain?

Yes — this is a kinetic chain effect. Abnormal foot mechanics (overpronation, supination, leg length discrepancy) cause compensatory changes in knee, hip, and lumbar alignment. Roughly 30% of patients presenting to our clinic with knee pain have a treatable foot-level biomechanical cause. Correcting foot mechanics with orthotics or appropriate footwear often provides significant knee and back relief. If you have chronic knee or back pain and haven’t had your foot mechanics evaluated, it’s worth a consult.

Are orthotics worth it?

For the right conditions, yes — custom orthotics are among the most cost-effective interventions in podiatry. They’re most effective for: plantar fasciitis, flat feet with secondary knee/back pain, leg length discrepancy, metatarsalgia, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and diabetic foot pressure management. Quality OTC orthotics ($35–60) resolve symptoms for 60% of patients with mild-to-moderate conditions. Custom orthotics are appropriate when OTC options have failed or when the biomechanical problem is complex. We cast custom orthotics in-office.

How do I choose the right running shoes?

Start with your foot type (flat, neutral, high arch) and running pattern (overpronator, neutral, supinator). Flat feet and overpronators do best in stability or motion-control shoes. Neutral feet do well in neutral-cushioned shoes. High arches need maximum cushioning with flexible soles. Always buy running shoes at the end of the day (foot swelling peaks then), get properly fitted by a specialist, and replace every 300–500 miles. If you’ve been injured repeatedly, a gait analysis can identify the mechanical flaw driving your injury pattern.

What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture?

A sprain is a ligament injury (the tissue connecting bones); a fracture is a break in the bone itself. Both can occur with the same trauma (ankle roll, fall). The old test — ‘if you can walk, it’s not broken’ — is wrong; many fractures are initially weight-bearable. Key differences: a fracture typically produces localized bone tenderness along the bone itself, while a sprain is tender over the ligament. X-ray is the standard to differentiate. High-grade sprains without proper treatment can be as disabling as fractures.

How do I prevent foot and ankle injuries?

The four most impactful prevention strategies: (1) Supportive, appropriately fitted footwear for your foot type and activity. (2) Gradual activity progression — the 10% rule (never increase weekly mileage or intensity by more than 10%). (3) Regular calf and ankle mobility work. (4) Strengthening the posterior tibial tendon, peroneals, and intrinsic foot muscles. Most overuse injuries are preventable; most acute injuries are not — but ankle sprain recurrence (60–70% without rehab) is prevented by balance and proprioception training.