Sign-In
Cart
The Great Balancing ACT: An Insider's Guide to the Human Vestibular System
Paperback
Medical ReferenceAnatomy & Physiology
ISBN13: 9780231218634
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: Dec 9 2025
Pages: 264
Weight: 0.85
Height: 1.10 Width: 6.10 Depth: 9.20
Language: English
What's the secret to keeping your balance? The ear does more than hear: it helps us stay stable by perceiving movements and gravity. Elegant sensors deep within the skull detect every twist, turn, and tumble, powering swift reflexes that keep vision and balance steady. This is the vestibular system. It's primordial and ubiquitous: every animal has one, and even plants have a rudimentary version. It works so well that we take it for granted--until it fails. How does this remarkable system function? What happens when it goes haywire? How can modern medicine treat vestibular disease?
The Great Balancing Act tells the story of the vestibular system, from T. rex hearing organs to cochlear implants, and from the unsung power of hair cells to inner-ear problems in outer space. Combining neuroscience, history, and medicine, Jeffrey D. Sharon--a vestibular doctor and researcher--explains the sense of balance using accessible language and wry humor. He recounts how pioneering scientists solved the mysteries of the vestibular system and shows why it is necessary for spatial reasoning and abstract thought. Sharon explores the devastating consequences of vestibular problems such as vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance, offering an expert, patient-friendly look at emerging and future treatments. Engaging and entertaining, this book invites readers to discover a little-known yet vital part of ourselves.1 different editions
Also available
The Great Balancing ACT: An Insider's Guide to the Human Vestibular System
Sharon, Jeffrey D.
Hardcover
Also from
Sharon, Jeffrey D.
The Great Balancing ACT: An Insider's Guide to the Human Vestibular System
Sharon, Jeffrey D.
Hardcover
Also in
Anatomy & Physiology
The Language of the Face: Stories of Its Uniquely Expressive Features
Gonzalez-Crussi, Frank
Hardcover
The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World
McGilchrist, Iain
Paperback
Your Inner Fish: A Journey Into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body
Shubin, Neil
Paperback
Science of Pilates: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect Your Practice
Ward, Tracy
Paperback
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative
Williams, Florence
Paperback
The Powerful Primate: How Controlling Energy Enabled Us to Build Civilization
Ennos, Roland
Hardcover
Science of Cycling: Transform Your Ride, Gain Strength, Revolutionize Your Training
Bailey, David
Paperback
Your Best Shot: The Personalized System for Optimal Weight Health--Glp-1 Shot or Not
Koff Rd, Ashley
Hardcover
Hidden Guests: Migrating Cells and How the New Science of Microchimerism Is Redefining Human Identity
Barnéoud, Lise
Hardcover
Gray's Anatomy (Deluxe Leatherbound Edition): Anatomy Descriptive and Surgical
Gray, Henry, Frs
Hardcover
Science of Stretch: Reach Your Flexible Potential, Stay Active, Maximize Mobility
Malek, Leada
Paperback
Anatomy 101: From Muscles and Bones to Organs and Systems, Your Guide to How the Human Body Works
Langford, Kevin
Hardcover
The Life Machines: How Taking Care of Your Mitochondria Can Transform Your Health
Rosen, Emanuel
Mochly-Rosen, Daria
Hardcover
4 Weeks to Better Sleep: Improve Brain Function, Lose Weight, Boost Your Mood, Reduce Stress, and Become a Better Sleeper
Mosley, Michael
Paperback
Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health
Spiegel, Brennan
Hardcover
Human Errors: A Panorama of Our Glitches, from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes
Lents, Nathan H.
Paperback
Illustrated Human Anatomy: The Authoritative Visual Guide to the Human Body
Gustafson, Dana
Vayttaden, Sharat
Hardcover
What Your Body Knows about Happiness: How to Use Your Body to Change Your Mind
Kaplan, Janice
Paperback
The Headache: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction--And a Search for Relief
Zeller Jr, Tom
Hardcover
The Human Body Book: An Illustrated Guide to Its Structure, Function, and Disorders
Walker, Richard
Parker, Steve
Hardcover
Tu Cuerpo Tiene Las Respuestas: Un Organismo En Equilibrio Para Una Vida Mas Sana / Organ Speak
Enders, Giulia
Paperback
Life in Sync: The Science of Internal Clocks and How We're Disrupting Them
Gander, Philippa
Hardcover
The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer
Blackburn, Elizabeth
Epel, Elissa
Paperback
The Anatomy of Martial Arts: An Illustrated Guide to the Muscles Used for Each Strike, Kick, and Throw
Link, Norman G.
Chou, Lily
Paperback
Ultimate Engineering: An Engineer Investigates the Biomechanics of the Human Body
Burgess, Stuart
Paperback
The Beautiful Brain: The Drawings of Santiago Ramon Y Cajal
Araque, Alfonso
Swanson, Larry W.
Newman, Eric
Hardcover
Rethink Your Position: Reshape Your Exercise, Yoga, and Everyday Movement, One Part at a Time
Bowman, Katy
Paperback
Mastering Muscles and Movement: A Brain-Friendly System for Learning Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Basic Kinesiology
Campbell, David M.
Paperback
Laboratory Manual for Human Anatomy & Physiology: A Hands-On Approach, Main Version
Greene, Melissa
Robison, Robin
Strong, Lisa
Paperback
Nature's Nether Regions: What the Sex Lives of Bugs, Birds, and Beasts Tell Us About Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ourselves
Schilthuizen, Menno
Paperback
The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That's Smarter, Faster, Shorter
Shulgan, Christopher
Gibala, Martin
Hardcover
52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time
Abbs-Streets, Annabel
Hardcover
What Your Body Knows about Happiness: How to Use Your Body to Change Your Mind
Kaplan, Janice
Hardcover
The Forgotten Sense: The New Science of Smell--And the Extraordinary Power of the Nose
Olofsson, Jonas
Hardcover
Human Body Coloring Book: Human Body Human Anatomy Coloring Book For Kids. Human Body Anatomy Coloring Book For Medical, High School Students. Great G
Publication, Sambaumniel
Paperback
The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code
Kean, Sam
Paperback
Laboratory Manual for Human Anatomy & Physiology: A Hands-On Approach, Pig Version
Greene, Melissa
Robison, Robin
Strong, Lisa
Paperback
The Pocket Atlas of Skeletal Muscles: A Reference for Students of Physical Therapy, Medicine, Sports, and Bodywork
Jarmey, Chris
Paperback
Return to Energy: Lived Experience as God Designed: How Competing Metabolisms Shape Health and Disease
MacDonald, Michael
Paperback
Osteopathy Is in the Blood: The Science and Clinical Application of The Rule of the Artery
Fraval, Maxwell
Paperback
Younger for Life: Feel Great and Look Your Best with the New Science of Autojuvenation
Youn, Anthony, M. D.
Hardcover
Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers: A Kidney Doctor's Search for the Perfect Match
Grubbs, Vanessa
Paperback
Younger for Life: Feel Great and Look Your Best with the New Science of Autojuvenation
Youn, Anthony, M. D.
Paperback
Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SL and HL): Revise IB TestPrep Workbook
Robertson, Bow
Hale, Natasha
Paperback
Hidden Guests: Migrating Cells and How the New Science of Microchimerism Is Redefining Human Identity
Barnéoud, Lise
Paperback
Earthly Materials: Journeys Through Our Bodies' Emissions, Excretions, and Disintegrations
Wood, Cutter
Hardcover
Inner Sense: How the New Science of Interoception Can Revolutionize Your Health
Williams, Caroline
Hardcover
Science of Hiit: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Transform Your Body
Clay, Ingrid S.
Paperback
La Solución de Los Telómeros: Aprende a Vivir Sano Y Feliz / The Telomere Effect
Blackburn, Elizabeth
Epel, Elissa
Paperback
Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications
Baldwin, Kenneth M.
Brooks, George A.
Fahey, Thomas D.
Paperback
Human Anatomy and Physiology Coloring Book: A Visual Guide to the Structures and Systems of the Human Body
Bella Mente Press
Paperback
Science Fundamentals 2 - Life Science - Humans: Quickstudy Laminated Reference & Study Guide
Gardner, Jane
Other
I Choose You: The Quest of Science, Medicine, Life, and Everything in Between
Onweni, Chidinma
Paperback
Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief
Rause, Vince
Newberg, Andrew
D'Aquili, Eugene G.
Paperback
And Then You're Dead: What Really Happens If You Get Swallowed by a Whale, Are Shot from a Cannon, or Go Barreling Over Niagara
Doherty, Paul
Cassidy, Cody
Paperback