Balance: In Search of the Lost Sense

I believe that Scott McCredie has provided an exceptional narrative that explores the sense of balance from the viewpoint of an interdisciplinary and humanistic point of view. I found the book easy to read due to its flow from the humanistic view of how an adult child wants to protect an aging parent from a disastrous outcome from the negative sequela that a fall often triggers, and the exploration of the various disciplines that over time have contributed to the understanding of the human vestibular system. I also believe that it should be required reading for physical, occupational and speech therapists alike. Could you imagine the outcomes for a patient who acquired a traumatic brain injury if all the relevant disciplines understood or even considered the implications that the multiple systems involved in “balance” contribute to the patient’s recovery? I personally think that the author deserves five out of five stars, as after finishing the book I have more clinical questions than answers, thus demonstrating the successfulness of his book to bring the sense of balance to the forefront of the reader thoughts. Mission accomplished Mr. McCredie.

An engaging and intriguing investigation into many aspects of one of our more mysterious senses. Our feeling of balance is assembled from a number of organs, chief among them those nestled within the inner ear, but also our eyes and proprioceptive sensors throughout the body. Things can go wrong in any of these or in their integration in the brain. Through stories of individuals with specific balance problems, gifts, or trained skills, this book kept me curious the whole way through. If you have balance problems of your own, train in balance-heavy physical skills, or work with such people, you will find a lot of value in this book.

It's a little clunky in parts. It's good but it almost seemed like the author would get sidetracked and decide to put in everything he'd ever learned about circus performers. I mean the section on the tightrope balance performers went on and on and on. I have never seen a book on loss of the vestibular sense, so I greatly enjoyed it; however, he needs a better editor. B for effort though.

I have not yet finished the book, but am deep enough into it to be able to strongly recommend it as an awakening experience of just how much our other senses require our sense of balance to fully utilize them. It is written in a very interesting and engaging way, including histories and science and medical information. I feel this book addresses so many ways we lose our balance and may be of use to those who suffer not only diseases, but have suffered serious head injuries. There are 'exercises' and there is physical therapy available to help us through (adapt) and even heal from loss of balance.

This is a fascinating book on something we can't live without but rarely think of. Our book club enjoyed discussing it and had a great time trying out the balance tests and exercises. There are practical tips in the appendix to avoid being the elderly person who can't remain vertical.

As a vertigo sufferer I appreciated the explanation of the balance mechanism.I am fascinated to think that Vincent van Gogh was a sufferer of Menieres Disease.I enjoyed and empathized with the stories of other sufferers and will benefit from the list of exercises and activities to improve balance. The book was a good mixture of theory and stories and help yourself exercises. Vertigo makes reading rather difficult but this was a book I wanted to persevere with.

Overall the book was an interesting read but I kept waiting for the "what can I do about it" part. I have had mediocre balance all of my life, but now I am approaching an age where it will become a major issue. Although there was a bit of advice at the end, there could have been much more, especially from someone like the author who clearly knows his stuff.

This title awakens the reader to a new understanding of balance and the many aspects of life that it secretly influences.

With a Balance problem I came across a mention of this book while researching for information on the problem.. I find it an excellent guide to a large amount of specialised knowledge that exists. It was a relief to be shown the importance, not of your muscles, but ear, eyes, brain. At last I am at the beginning of understanding the whys and importance of Balance and I recommend this book both as a help to a problem but also as an interesting reading. .

A must read for anyone working in healthcare. As a psychotherapist it made good and inspiring reading.

Interesting book and prompted by personal experience which gave it resonance.