Custom Foot Orthotics in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Tradewinds Chiropractic & Wellness in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas fits custom foot orthotics as part of care for heel pain, knee pain, hip pain and low back pain that starts, or is made worse, by how your feet handle load. A custom orthotic is built from your own foot, not pulled off a rack, and it is one tool among several, not a stand-alone fix.
What a custom orthotic is, and what it is not
A custom orthotic is a shoe insert shaped to your foot, made to support the arch, control how the foot rolls, and spread pressure across the sole the way your own foot cannot manage on its own. It is different from the foam inserts sold at a pharmacy, which come in a handful of generic sizes and shapes. Ours are Foot Levelers custom orthotics, built from a scan of your own feet.
An orthotic is not a cure and it does not replace stretching, strengthening or, where needed, adjustment. It is one part of a plan that also looks at your calf and hip mechanics, your footwear, and the joints above the foot.
What it helps with
Plantar fasciitis and heel pain, where a collapsing or very rigid arch overloads the fascia. See plantar fasciitis and heel pain.
Achilles tendon pain, where the foot rolling in twists the tendon with every step. See Achilles tendinitis.
Knee pain, where the foot rolling in pulls the knee out of line. See knee pain.
Hip pain and low back pain that tracks with how you stand and walk, especially on the hills and uneven ground around town. See hip pain and lower back pain.
Not every case of these conditions needs an orthotic. Dr. Keys checks how you stand, walk and load your feet before recommending one, so you are not paying for support you do not need.
How we fit them at Tradewinds
The visit starts with an exam of your feet, ankles, and how you stand and walk, alongside whatever brought you in that day. If an orthotic is a good fit for your case, your feet are analyzed with a digital topographical scan and thermography. Orthotics are Foot Levelers custom orthotics, ready in about two weeks, $300, and not covered by insurance. We fit them once they are ready. Dr. Keys is the Chair of the Virgin Islands Board of Chiropractic Examiners, a member of the Virgin Islands Chiropractic Society, and the International Chiropractors Association representative for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Orthotics are usually one piece of a wider plan that includes soft tissue work, stretching and strengthening, and adjustment where the exam calls for it. Our full service list is at all services. We take HSA and FSA cards.
When an orthotic is not the first step
Some cases need something else checked before an orthotic is worth fitting:
Numbness, tingling or burning in the feet, which points to a nerve or circulation issue rather than a mechanical one. See peripheral neuropathy.
An open wound, active infection, or diabetic foot ulcer, which needs medical attention first.
Sudden, severe foot pain after an injury, which needs an exam to rule out a fracture before anything goes inside a shoe.
A foot deformity or a case that has already failed a custom orthotic elsewhere, which may need a podiatrist or orthopedist instead.
If any of these describe you, Dr. Keys examines you first and refers you out if the case calls for it.
Visitors, crew and cruise passengers
Crew on deck in thin shoes, and visitors walking the hills of Charlotte Amalie in sandals built for flat ground, are a regular part of who we fit for orthotics. A custom pair takes about two weeks to be ready, so if your stay is short, tell us your dates when you call and we will scan your feet early in your visit. Walk-ins and same-day appointments work the same for visitors as for residents.
Getting seen
Call (340) 690-4994 to book. Same-week appointments are usually available. We are at the VI Medical Foundation Building, Suite 202, 9150 Estate Thomas, St. Thomas, USVI 00802, just east of Charlotte Amalie and a short drive from the Havensight cruise port and Yacht Haven Grande. Hours are Mon, Wed, Thu: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Tue, Fri: 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Closed Sat and Sun. New patient forms are at forms. Tradewinds Chiropractic has more than 180 five-star Google reviews.
Questions patients ask
Who does custom orthotics in St. Thomas?
Tradewinds Chiropractic & Wellness in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas fits custom foot orthotics as part of care for heel, knee, hip and low back pain that is tied to how your feet handle load. Call (340) 690-4994 to ask if an orthotic fits your case.
How is a custom orthotic different from the ones at the pharmacy?
A custom orthotic is built from a digital scan of your own feet, so it supports your arch and controls how your foot rolls in a way a generic insert cannot. Store-bought inserts come in a few standard shapes and sizes and fit no one exactly.
Do I need custom orthotics or will a shoe change be enough?
Not everyone needs one. Dr. Keys checks how you stand, walk and load your feet first. If your arch is fine, a footwear change and a stretching program is often enough; if it is collapsing or very rigid, an orthotic usually earns its keep.
How long does it take to get custom orthotics made?
Your feet are analyzed with a digital topographical scan and thermography, and the orthotics are ready in about two weeks. If you are only on island for a short stay, tell us your dates when you call so the scan happens early.
How much do custom orthotics cost, and does insurance cover them?
Custom orthotics are $300 and are not covered by insurance. They are Foot Levelers custom orthotics built from a scan of your feet. We take HSA and FSA cards.
