Head and Spinal Injuries First Aid in Grand Rapids, MI

Head and spinal injuries are always serious, even when there are no visible signs of trauma. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, timely first aid and rapid access to emergency care at local hospitals like Corewell Health (Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health can make a critical difference in recovery.

If you suspect a head or spinal injury anywhere in the Grand Rapids area, call 911 immediately.

Why All Head Injuries Are Serious

A hard blow to the head can injure the brain or spinal cord even when:

  • There is no visible cut or bruise on the scalp or face
  • The person says they “feel fine” at first

The brain is soft and jelly-like and is protected by the skull. It floats in a clear liquid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which acts as a shock absorber. However, the protection is limited:

  • A mild knock may be absorbed by the fluid
  • A hard impact can bruise the brain or tear blood vessels
  • This can increase intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull), which may cause permanent brain damage

In Michigan, falls on ice and snow in winter, sports injuries, auto accidents on I-96 or US-131, and workplace injuries are common causes of head trauma.

Visible vs. Hidden Head Injuries

Being able to see blood is not a reliable indicator of how serious a head injury is. A person can have a life-threatening brain injury with no visible wound.

Head injuries can be:

  • Open head injuries – with bleeding wounds to the face or scalp
  • Closed head injuries – no external wound, but the brain is injured inside the skull

Both types require careful assessment by a doctor or hospital emergency department in Grand Rapids.

Symptoms of a Serious Head Injury

Call 911 and go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids (for example, Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) if any of the following occur after a head injury:

Changes in Consciousness

  • Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
  • The person “comes to” but is:
    • Confused
    • Drowsy or hard to wake
    • Asking the same questions repeatedly
    • Acting strangely, agitated, or not themselves

Physical Signs

  • Skull deformities – a dent, soft area, or obvious deformity
  • Clear fluid from the ears or nose – may be cerebrospinal fluid and suggests a skull fracture
  • Black eyes or bruising behind the ears – can indicate a base-of-skull fracture
  • Seizure – any shaking, jerking, or collapse with loss of awareness

Vision and Pupil Changes

  • Pupils that:
    • Are different sizes
    • Stay very large (dilated)
    • Do not react normally to light
  • Double or blurred vision

Ongoing Symptoms

  • Persistent or worsening headache
  • Nausea and repeated vomiting
  • Dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
  • Extreme drowsiness despite pain-relieving medication

If any of these symptoms appear in the first 72 hours, seek urgent medical care. In the Grand Rapids area, you can go to:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) emergency departments
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids emergency department
  • Metro Health or Mercy Health emergency departments

First Aid for Head Injuries (When the Person Is Conscious)

While waiting for an ambulance:

  1. Call 911 immediately.
  2. Encourage the person to stay still. Ask them not to move their head or neck.
  3. Control bleeding from scalp wounds:
    • Use a clean cloth or dressing
    • Apply gentle, direct pressure
    • Avoid pressing hard if you suspect a skull fracture (soft area, crack, or depression)
  4. Do not disturb blood clots forming in the hair.
  5. Keep them calm and warm, especially in cold Michigan weather:
    • Use a coat or blanket to prevent hypothermia in winter
  6. Do not:
    • Move the person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic, etc.)
    • Give them food, drink, alcohol, or medication
    • Let them drive themselves to a hospital

Remember: If the head is injured, assume the neck may be injured too.

First Aid for Head Injuries (When the Person Is Unconscious)

If the injured person is unresponsive:

  1. Call 911 right away.
  2. Check airway and breathing:
    • Look for chest movement
    • Listen for breathing
    • Feel for breath on your cheek
  3. If they are breathing:
    • Do not move their neck or back
    • Keep their head in line with their spine
    • Support the head to prevent rolling or twisting
  4. If breathing stops or there is no pulse:
    • Begin CPR if you are trained
    • Follow 911 operator instructions

Try to keep the head and neck as still as possible while you perform any life-saving actions.

Concussion: A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury often seen in:

  • Youth and high school sports in West Michigan
  • Car accidents
  • Falls on ice or from ladders

A concussion is diagnosed by a doctor only after they are confident that a more serious brain injury is unlikely.

Common Concussion Symptoms

Symptoms can appear immediately or develop over hours to days:

  • Headache or pressure in the head
  • Dizziness or feeling “foggy”
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Trouble concentrating or remembering
  • Sleep changes (sleeping more or less than usual)
  • Irritability, mood swings, or sadness

These symptoms can last up to 3 months or longer.

When to Seek Urgent Care for Concussion in Grand Rapids

Go to an emergency department or call 911 if, after a head injury, you notice:

  • Repeated vomiting
  • Worsening headache
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Loss of coordination or trouble walking
  • Slurred speech
  • Increasing drowsiness or difficulty waking up
  • Seizure

For follow-up care, you can see your primary care doctor, a neurologist, or a sports medicine specialist in Grand Rapids. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can also help connect you to local resources and clinics.

Spinal Injuries and Head Trauma

A person with a head injury may also have a spinal (neck or back) injury. This is especially true after:

  • Car accidents on icy Michigan roads
  • Falls from ladders, roofs, or stairs
  • High-impact sports injuries
  • Falls from standing height in older adults

In elderly people, it can take less force to cause a serious neck injury—sometimes just a simple fall from standing.

Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Injury

Call 911 immediately if you suspect a spinal injury and notice:

  • Inability to move arms or legs
  • Weakness, heaviness, or loss of control in any limb
  • Tingling, burning, or “pins and needles” sensations
  • Loss of feeling (numbness), including no pain sensation
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control (incontinence)
  • Body lying in an awkward or unnatural position
  • Skin that feels clammy, cool, or very pale

First Aid for Suspected Spinal Injury

While waiting for EMS in Grand Rapids or surrounding Kent County:

  1. Do not move the person unless there is an immediate, life-threatening danger.
  2. Keep the head in line with the neck and spine:
    • Gently hold both sides of the head to prevent movement
  3. Avoid twisting or bending:
    • Do not let their head roll to the side
  4. Support the neck:
    • If possible, roll a t-shirt, towel, or soft item and place it around the neck on both sides to remind them to keep still
  5. Monitor breathing and responsiveness until the ambulance arrives.

Emergency medical services in Grand Rapids are trained to safely immobilize and transport people with suspected spinal injuries to local trauma centers.

Toddlers and Head Injuries in Grand Rapids

Toddlers and young children in Grand Rapids fall frequently as they learn to walk, run, and play. Most minor bumps are not serious.

What Parents Should Know

  • A fall from a child’s own height is usually not enough to cause a serious head injury.
  • The size of the bump (goose egg) on the head does not reliably indicate how serious the injury is.

Minor head injuries can often be managed at home with:

  • Comfort and cuddles
  • An age-appropriate dose of children’s pain-relieving syrup (as advised by your pediatrician or pharmacist)
  • Close observation for the first 24–48 hours

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention for a Child

Call 911 or go to a Grand Rapids emergency department right away if:

  • The child appeared to be unconscious or did not cry immediately after the fall
  • They are unusually drowsy, difficult to wake, or not acting like themselves
  • They are vomiting, especially repeatedly
  • You think the fall was heavy enough to cause harm, such as:
    • Falling down multiple stairs
    • Falling from a bed or normal-height changing table to a hard surface
    • Hitting their head on bedside furniture or a sharp edge
  • You notice:
    • Seizure activity
    • Clear fluid from the nose or ears
    • Worsening headache or persistent crying

If in doubt, see your doctor or pediatrician, or visit a local urgent care or hospital in Grand Rapids. Many pediatric practices and urgent care clinics in the metro area can assess minor head injuries.

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Head and Spinal Injury Care

If you or someone you know experiences a head or spinal injury in Grand Rapids, Michigan:

  • In an emergency:

    • Call 911 immediately

  • For medical assessment and treatment:

    • Your GP / primary care doctor
    • Hospital emergency departments:
      • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Butterworth Hospital
      • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
      • Metro Health
      • Mercy Health locations

  • For public health information and referrals:

    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health

Key Points to Remember

  • All head injuries are potentially serious—always take them seriously.
  • Visible bleeding is not a reliable measure of how severe a head injury is.
  • Symptoms of concussion can last 3 months or longer after trauma.
  • In older adults, it takes less force to cause serious neck and spinal injuries.
  • Signs of spinal injury include inability to move limbs and unusual tingling or numbness.
  • It is crucial to keep the injured person’s head in line with their neck and avoid any twisting or unnecessary movement.

Prompt first aid, calling 911, and rapid access to high-quality care at Grand Rapids hospitals can significantly improve outcomes after head and spinal injuries.