Your First Visit at Tradewinds Chiropractic, St. Thomas

Tradewinds Chiropractic & Wellness in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas sees new patients for a first visit built around one goal: figuring out what is actually wrong before anyone touches your spine. This page walks through what happens, what to bring, and what a realistic first appointment looks like, so you are not walking in blind.

What actually happens, step by step

The visit starts with your history. Dr. Bradley Keys asks what hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse, and what you have already tried. This is also where he asks about anything that would change the plan: prior surgery, pregnancy, medications, other conditions.

Next comes a hands-on exam: how you move, where you are tender, and orthopedic and neurological tests to check reflexes, strength and sensation. If the history or exam points to something imaging can answer, digital x-rays can be taken and reviewed the same visit. See digital x-ray and posture analysis.

Once the exam is done, Dr. Keys explains what he found in plain language, not just a chart note. You hear what he thinks is going on, what the options are, and whether chiropractic care is a good fit for your case or you need a referral instead. Most patients are adjusted on the first visit, unless something in the exam rules it out or you need to be referred elsewhere first.

What to bring

A short list makes the first visit go faster:

  • A photo ID and, if you plan to use insurance, your insurance card. We accept Medicare, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, and we bill your insurance for you. Self-pay rates are $120 for the initial exam, $40 for a chiropractic adjustment, and $20 for each therapy.

  • A list of current medications and any relevant medical conditions.

  • Recent imaging or reports if you have them (a prior x-ray, MRI or a surgeon's notes), especially if you have had back surgery.

  • Comfortable clothing you can move in for the exam.

  • Your new patient forms, filled out ahead of time if possible. The forms are on our website to download, print and bring in filled out. Forms are at new patient forms.

How long the first visit takes

A first visit takes about an hour. Fill in your forms as soon as you can once you book, even for a same-day visit. Plan to arrive a few minutes early if you have not filled them out in advance.

How we do it at Tradewinds

Dr. Keys examines every new patient personally before any care is recommended. 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. The plan that comes out of your first visit is specific to what the history and exam actually show, not a standard package handed to everyone who walks in.

When you might need something else first

A first visit here is a good fit for most back, neck and joint complaints. It is not the right starting point if you have any of the following, which need faster or different care:

  • Loss of bowel or bladder control, or numbness in the saddle area

  • Weakness that is spreading or getting worse

  • Fever along with back or neck pain

  • The worst headache of your life, or a headache with vision changes, slurred speech or weakness on one side

  • Pain following a serious fall, crash or blow where a fracture has not been ruled out

If any of these apply to you, go to the emergency room or call your physician before scheduling a routine first visit. Dr. Keys will tell you plainly if your case needs a different starting point once he has your history.

Visitors, crew and cruise passengers

A large share of first visits here are people who are not local: charter crew between charters, cruise passengers with a bad back from the flight down, and seasonal residents just arrived for the season. If your time on island is short, we take walk-ins and same-day appointments; see hurt your back on vacation for more. 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

What happens at my first chiropractic appointment?

A history of what is hurting and why, then a hands-on exam of how you move and where you are tender. If imaging would help, digital x-rays can be taken the same visit. Dr. Keys then explains what he found and what your options are.

Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor in St. Thomas?

No referral is required. Call (340) 690-4994 to book directly.

What should I bring to my first visit?

A photo ID, your insurance card if you plan to use insurance, a list of current medications, any recent imaging or surgical reports, and comfortable clothing. Filling out your new patient forms ahead of time speeds things up.

Will I get an adjustment on my first visit?

Most patients are adjusted on the first visit, unless something in the exam rules it out or you need to be referred elsewhere first. Call (340) 690-4994 if you want to ask before you book.

How long does the first visit take?

A first visit takes about an hour. Fill in your forms as soon as you can once you book, even for a same-day visit.