A NATIONAL BESTSELLER WITH OVER 20,000 COPIES SOLDListen within. You are the expert in you.Chronic vertigo, dizziness, and tinnitus are invisible disruptions to a person’s life that can be unresponsive to traditional treatments, leaving sufferers feeling hopeless. Yet healing is possible using neuroplasticity, the brain and body’s capacity to change itself. So, why is nobody teaching us how to do it?Vestibular audiologist and neuroplasticity therapist Joey Remenyi explains why holistic neuroplasticity is often overlooked; why nobody else can prescribe it for you; and why ignoring, denying, distracting, and avoiding symptoms may not work. Joey gives hope to the hopeless with her pioneering self-study approach to healing chronic symptoms that outlines how we can rebuild a new normal with methodical steps. Using client case studies and her own personal experience, Joey guides the reader to gently feel their way through healing—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.Including home exercise ideas and a heart-centered approach to the science, Rock Steady is the handbook for anyone with chronic unwanted sensations or sounds in their body.
Joey lives on Wadawurrung Country with her husband and son in Victoria, Australia. She is uniquely positioned to support and understand folks suffering with vertigo and tinnitus with her background in psychology, neuroscience, acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a master of clinical vestibular audiology, and over twenty years of experience in yoga and the art of experiential neuroplasticity.
Joey is the founder and director of Seeking Balance International and the creator of ROCK STEADY, a program that has transformed the lives of thousands of people suffering with persistent vertigo or tinnitus.
Joey has presented at conferences and workshops internationally as a world-leading pioneer in vertigo and tinnitus recovery. She offers a highly needed and refreshing perspective on healing for people living with debilitating vertigo or tinnitus.
I have been a member of Joey's FB page for a while now and I can't begin to tell you how much she has helped me deal with my tinnitus. Joey explains that only I can heal myself. It was amazing, yet scary, to hear I could do it myself but by this point I knew no one in the medical field could help me, so who was left? Joey's book is concise and well written and gives you the tools to create your own healing path. She encourages you to take what feels good to you, tweak it even, and leave the rest. You know what is best for you. Little by little you will see the results of neuroplasticity doing it's thing.
One thing readers need to understand is that she is not going to over talk tinnitus. Tinnitus will not go away if we constantly talk about it. It's so hard, I understand, but she teaches us that focusing on the way we want to feel will leave little room for tinnitus. My journey into neuroplasticity is just beginning, but I have already seen results with Joey's guidance. I highly recommend her book. Joey gives us hope. It won't happen overnight, but with her book and my own determination, I know I can heal.
I have BPPV and an overall weak vestibular system -- I've gotten dizzy from spinning and felt the effects for hours after since I was a young child. It's something that I've dealt with and accepted as normal until recently. I fixed some other problems that I had thought were unfixable, such as being diagnosed with "flat feet." I read Born to Run and did a deep dive on natural and minimalistic footwear and saw really great, real results. I became more open to holistic treatment of problems.
Realizing the power to change what I had thought were chronic and unchangeable problems, I started looking for a holistic approach to my dizziness. I was really excited to find Joey Remenyi, Seeking Balance, and Rock Steady. She had a free podcast, some resources, an online course, and was coming out with a book! I was pretty pumped to dive into it. It seemed like a similar setup to Katy Bowman, a movement advocate that taught me so much for free before I decided to purchase any of her books or programs.
Well, Joey isn't Katy. And I'm starting to think that Joey and Seeking Balance are a scam, or at least more of a cult than they should be. For one, if you read the reviews for her book, I'm quite certain that they are from members of her very, very expensive online program. An online program that I've read bans anyone who reports discouraging results or a negative attitude. On one hand, this makes sense. Joey's definition of neuroplasticity is about cultivating the feelings and emotions that you want to feel until you feel them. Fake it until you make it.
This book's main lesson can be summarized thusly: when you experience symptoms, instead of allowing your brain to fear them and make them bigger and larger than they are, distract yourself with a body scan and then try to cultivate feelings that you want that are personally meaningful to you, like balance, steadiness, or peace. Do this over and over and begin to hate yourself less. Maintain a positive mental voice and a growth mindset.
She also mentions that a lot of people will never overcome their symptoms, but rather learn to accept them as normal and not a big deal, and that that's a success. I'll leave you to interpret that message on your own.
There are a couple reasons that I think that this book deserves a very low rating. Ignoring what I think about Remenyi and her overpriced online program, this book is two things:
1: filler. Ten chapters that really should have been two. She spends the beginning of the book introducing her main concepts and then 8 chapters repeating over and over and over. And over. AND OVER! This is a terribly boring book with almost nothing to say. I had to really push myself to finish it just in case there was some fantastic nugget of wisdom that would change my mind and let me see the light. Nope, just a first-hand telling of a panic attack after a breakup followed by a remark how while writing the end of the book she perforated an eardrum and managed not to break down because of her method. Whatever.
2: poorly written. I know that Joey isn't an author and she admitted on her podcast that she found that she became a better writer by the end of the book. But I have to say, it's a very unpleasant read. I would pull an example from the book, but really just read any preview pages available online and you'll get a sense for how the whole book is written. Endless lists of emotions or random phrases, inconsistent punctuation, fake testimonials with terribly contrived dialogue.
Joey paints a picture of the reader as this sad, incapable, miserable sob who can't live their life because of their symptoms. I think I understand painting this picture for those who might need some introspection to see how their symptoms are holding us back, except she does it over and over again throughout the whole book. All the way till the end, she keeps this literary device of painting a miserable picture and then following up with an optimistic picture. I don't know what she hopes she's accomplishing, or if she's just trying to hit a word count, but it's terrible to read. I highly recommend against it.
What is this book good for? Well, it's sadly one of the friendliest books on the market explaining the various dizziness and tinnitus related ailments. When Joey stops trying to be a spiritual guide, she's at her best. Chapter 4 and 5 are actually really good, concise, and helpful. I wish I could give this book to my friends but tear out 80% of it.
This book is an ad for Seeking Balance and its extended ecosystem. I believe it's nothing more than an invitation to the cult of Joey. If you feel like you're a blubbering mess and have a panic attack going to the grocery store because of your tinnitus being too loud, then maybe this self-help book is for you and Joey will be happy to extend a hand for a few hundred dollars an hour.
If you're someone who is trying to overcome and improve on dizziness symptoms with concrete proven methods and exercises, maybe seek out a vestibular physiotherapist first. They can help a lot of people and are a better first step. In fact, Joey directs you out to various other professionals in the aforementioned "good" chapters 4 & 5.
Did I get anything out of this book? Yes, I think I did. I'll never get back the time that I wasted reading it, but I definitely appreciate the message of learning that symptoms are normal, it's okay to feel not quite right, and by brushing off symptoms as no big deal, it's a lot easier to get through and make progress on my vestibular exercises prescribed by my physio. However, I think that that's more indicative of an issue with vestibular therapy in general. A compassionate approach to patient health shouldn't be ground breaking, and I don't think that neuroplasticity is anything more than a buzzword and some hand-waving to make people trust an overpriced 6-module online program.
Ask yourself, are the things this book promises too good to be true? Does someone who believes in their own work give you a preorder bonus of a 60-minute meeting if you preorder FIFTY copies? If you smell a scam, will you plug your nose and still go through with it?
If you want a book that gives you nothing but a continuous pitch for the $2800 12 week "course" the author offers - this is it. Thoroughly disappointed and glad it was just a library borrow.
Wow, must read for anyone dealing with lingering vertigo symptoms after a vestibular event or illness. I am so grateful for this book! I have already recommended it to several of my vestibular pals I have made through this journey.
I can't tell you how wonderful it was to stumble upon Dr Remenyi and hear someone offer some real empathy and HOPE for tinnitus. I have struggled with it and keep hearing news that shatters hope. The book is good in helping you understand that doctors are doing their best in their fields, make sure to get a medical clearance, but the ultimate healing process here is dependent on you. I am a big fan of meditation and body scans, and I love her language around visualizing what you feel and then feeling into what you want to feel. But overall, there was so.much.repetition and no specific conclusions beyond learn mindfulness meditation, keep trying to learn equanimity (although I'm not sure she actually uses that word), and sign up as a patient of hers or pay for the Rock Steady program. You could probably get away with scanning the book and practicing the exercises that appeal to you.
DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY.. This book has information about Vestibular disorders. If you invest time and focus with a Neurologist, ENT or Vestibular rehabilitation therapy you will learn more than you do in this book. This book is mainly focused on the anxiety aspect and talks OVER AND OVER about just trying to ignore it. The best advice that was offered was basically her saying "try and ignore it" so less neurons fire and focus not on your symptoms. I have Vestibular migraine that is chronic and disabling and am on the disability support pension, it's a very real conditionand if you find the right health professionalsthey are the ones to turn to for adviceandguidance. . Focusing on self worth and mental health is basically the drift of this book, honestly she is just trying to sell books to get desperate people who are ill and manipulate them into her $2000 plus Rock Steady program. .... waste of money and I didn't even finish reading the book, it was a waste of money for me. I went to offer my book to the library so someone else might use it, and they didn't even want it....
Essentially a 300-page pitch for her very expensive online “healing” program.
Having lived a very full life with a vestibular disorder, I decided to borrow this book from the local library during a more difficult period of decompensation (a word many of us dealing with vestibular challenges are familiar with) in hopes of gleaning a new perspective. Sadly, this book contained nothing new or insightful. By the halfway mark, I realized that this book had nothing to offer beyond recommendations to visit the free online workbook; the link which leads to a page that first presents a link to join her expensive program and very little additional content.
Rock Steady has changed my life. If you struggle with vertigo or tinnitus, this book is for you. If you can't find answers from your doctor's and are fed up with being unwell, take matters into your our hands. YOU can heal yourself with Joey's help! Honestly I was wondering if life was worth living anymore feeling this horrible all the time. That has changed after reading this book. Best decision I ever made was purchasing this book and following Joey's words of wisdom. Dana from Canada
This book was awesome. It took me forever to read it because I suffer from PPPD. This disorder hit me about a year ago and it has totally changed my life. Most days I cannot read, most days I cannot walk, straight, and most days I’m in a complete and utter panic. I have learned through this book that my brain has to relearn how to be calm, and how to deal with the panic and anxiety that the PPPD has brought.. I hope this, but can help somebody else.
I've never experienced anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts until being struck with debilitating tinnitus and chronic sinus congestion earlier this year. Not only did I lose my zest for life, I could no longer concentrate or think clearly, I felt isolated and alone, had no energy, and the despair I was feeling was so profound that I lost myself to the core wound beneath it all: I'm not worthy. My body was screaming at me to face into this pain and I was too terrified to listen. As many others have already mentioned, I went on my own version of an ultimately useless goose chase. From medical doctors, audiologists and psychotherapists to chiropractors, acupuncturists, supplements, hypnosis, and reiki, nothing gave me any semblance of relief until I started working with a Somatic Yoga Therapist. This then led me to the piece I was missing all along: this is a somatic condition that cannot be "fixed" by anyone but me, and until I learn to love myself and trust the brilliant wisdom of the body I've not ever fully inhabited, I will continue to suffer. I finally understood the message and knew it was time to radically change my life.
Synchronicities often happen with major decisions in my life and it was after that decision that I discovered Joey's brilliant body of work through a YouTube video testimonial by a former Rock Steady online program participant. Finally, there was hope! Since then, I've been devouring Joey's podcasts, read her Rock Steady book, which I highly recommend for anyone with the willingness to take ownership of the choices in their lives that created this condition, and am now taking her 7 Days of Support program.
As someone who has always been exceedingly hard on myself, I'm already feeling/seeing more light in my life as I learn to trust myself, my body, and give myself the kindness that is long overdue. Those cracks in the darkness are finally giving me hope for a future where I will not only feel my life force once again, I will come out the other side with a greater sense of love, compassion and meaning, not only for myself, but for everyone. Even though I'm still healing and there are still rough moments, I now have powerful tools to bring me back to my body, and to self kindness no matter what, and this is after less than two weeks with Joey’s wisdom by my side. Ultimately I have faith in a full recovery that will give me a life worth living. I'm so grateful for Joey Remenyi's courage to embark on her own healing path, and for her integrity and caring to share it with so many others such as myself.
Neuroplasticity promoted as an approach to re-wiring your brain to live with tinnitus or vertigo, with a general approach to the process. Essentially think yourself better: determine what brings you joy, then make opportunities for that goal in your thinking.
Not a miracle cure; re-wiring your brain requires hard work - listen to your brain and be open to healing yourself. "Believe in yourself. You are the expert in you."
"Habits" chapters. Shift focus form symptoms; try to notice all sensations equally, and you will created new neural pathways. Body scans as a tool; be curious about your body and the sensations on it. Focus on what you want to feel; the more you feel something, the more that neural pathway is strengthened. Notice your thoughts, to begin encouraging your brain to develop new thoughts rather than just repeating old patterns.
"Help" chapters. Tinnitus sounds are normal, but the more you focus on them, the more neurons fire in synchronicity and the louder it sounds. Treat by focusing on whole body, not just sounds; cultivate desired feelings and forgive yourself. Note symptoms can be worse when we are still and quiet.
"Heal" chapters. Acknowledge that by trying to get rid of a symptom, you are increasing its neural firing. Try new activities, exercises and tools to focus on desired sensations. Give yourself time, space, daily structures and permission to heal. Control your focus, and BELIEVE you can heal; no one can do your neuroplasticity for you. Have persistent self-compassion: neuroplasticity is practicing compassionate presence in each moment - it is a process not a destination. It is not what you do, it is how you feel while you do it. Connect to your breath. Give yourself words of encouragement. Create a personal toolkit: - list activities and exercises that help you feel the way you want to - how to support yourself when anxious but you want to feel grounded - how to support yourself when you feel sad but want to feel joy - how to support yourself when you feel lonely but want to feel belonging
This book was very effective at significantly improving my chronic feelings of being off balance and occasional episodes of spinning dizziness. I'm so grateful! I used to fear driving any distance due to focusing excessively on whether my symptoms were better or worse. Because I have episodes of spinning dizziness, though very, very seldom (maybe once every 2-3 years), I felt justified in protecting myself from that eventuality. When I would push through and make myself do it, which was very often, my neck and shoulders would be so tight it would exacerbate the feeling of off balance. So driving was almost always a stressful, painful experience. Long before I finished the book I was already driving with confidence due to my new focus on, "it's no big deal," and, "what do I want to feel right now?" The book is written with such respect and kindness for people who experience feeling not quite right. There is no shame or judgment. I felt relieved to read that my symptoms were real, not in my head. Not even psychosomatic. But that I was ascribing more weight to my very real symptoms than is helpful. Letting go of the fear they would escalate if I drove, or went into a store with rows of product higher than my head, or saw something spinning that would trigger me, and focusing on feeling competent, able, and powerful, has allowed a freedom I haven't had in years! It's my opinion the ideas in the book can, and should be applied to many more struggles than tinnitus and dizziness. Body scans, considering what you want to feel and what thoughts or actions will support those feelings, accepting any symptom as your body or mind needing to be heard, not bludgeoned, would be helpful regardless of the diagnosis.
Joey's book is amazing, and a MUST read book for anyone chronically suffering from any of the disorders described in it. it beautifully combines knowledge on the science, and the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of healing. The book has all the knowledge i required and more on the medical side of my symptoms, and was wonderfully eye opening regarding the overall approach to life it offered. it encompasses everything you need to know about the disorders discussed in it, from the physiological mechanisms and processes involved in creating symptoms, and healing, on the neuron level, the organ, system, and entire human level, to explainations on each disorder and each medical test, to endless exercises, and all of this, is just the tip of the iceberg.
it is THE BOOK to read if you are suffering from any of the disorders described in it.
. It has given me my hope back, and helped me to start my healing. reading the book, I felt like Joey was right there with me, cheering me on, filling me with optimism and enthusiasm towards starting my healing journey. Joey's book is more than just a book about healing symptoms It provides a holistic approach which helps the patient heal physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
As someone who has a hard time relating books that offer views of life, I have to say that I am amazed by how wonderful, deep, and intelligent this book is.
I feel lucky and blessed to have read it, recommend it highly to anyone considering reading it.
This book is incredibly repetitive. I swear most of the chapters just say the same vague advice over and over, which is essentially "Through rewiring your brain you can come to a place where you are no longer bothered by your unwanted sensations (tinnitus/vertigo). When you notice the sensations, think about what you would rather be feeling and try to find that feeling within you. Focus on your body and try to find the sensation you want in your body." There is not any great detail about HOW to do that exactly or what to do if you're struggling to actually do it. Just try to relax, do a body scan meditation, and have positive self talk, those are supposed to help I guess. Then she also makes sure to mention her course repeatedly (which is VERY expensive).
I saw this on a list of recommended books for those dealing with tinnitus, however I feel like this is more focused on vertigo. I have serious tinnitus and I am finding a lot more help in my process of habituation through CBT methods as well as incorporating mindfulness meditation methods.. both of which you can get a course about online for much cheaper than the Rock Steady one and in my opinion would actually teach you much more specific, useful techniques than anything in this book. I am glad I took it out of the library and didn't waste money on it. If you can do the same I recommend just reading the summary and practices at the end of each chapter because there's no point actually reading all the rest.
I found "The Tinnitus Treatment Toolbox" was far more helpful for me, though FYI it doesn't cover vertigo.
Joey Remenyi nails it in this one of a kind book all about living your best life with different forms of dizziness. Rock Steady is actually a book to help anyone with an ailment, physical/mental, deal with anxiety n over thinking. Through the process of neuroplasticity we can reset neurons in our body from negative to positive. What it takes is compassion for yourself, asking for calm, doing mind body exercises and doing the things that bring you pleasure. It takes some work but so rewarding. For years I’ve struggled with panic attacks, isolation and despair until this book opened a door to a whole new approach to my dizziness. Joey’s encouragement and caring go a long way as she speaks to you in her book. Excellent!
I found Joey's book when I was trying to find answers about why I was suffering from vertigo and dizziness. No doctor could tell me what was really wrong and how I could get better. This book made me realize that I could help my body to heal and that the first thing I had to do was quit trying to avoid my symptoms and accept them. I was stuck in what she calls the Dizzy-Anxiety-Dizzy loop and couldn't find my way out. This book has been a godsend for me and I would highly recommend this to anyone who is suffering with vertigo or tinnitus. I honestly think that even people who aren't suffering from either would benefit from reading this book especially if you are experiencing a lot of stress in your life.
I found Joey's work on YouTube and it was all that I was searching for: scientific fact that explained mechanism behind our vestibular system, brain, all that delicate parts that create our balance plus her holistic view in treating problems that occurs in this system. For the first time I really understood my dizziness. I understood that I am the expert in my healing and this approach is nothing near cult as some others said, but a clear and proven fact that we can make the change. We are given the tools, the work is on us. So, if you love written words (I guess you do since you are here 🙂) I recommend this book. And please, don't mind my bad English 🙂
If you've tried everything in your battle with Tinnitus. This will give you hope and get you back on the path to recovery. I would liken it to a lighthouse amid a fierce storm in the night seas.
Joey has a way of communicating with her audience in an authentic and compassionate way, which is far distinct from the various "snake-oil" salesmen we see online, trying to capitalize on our condition.
Excellent read, and it would be more holistic if you check out her videos online which she gives for free. Lots of resources available from her cause he has had Tinnitus herself and triumphed over it. Quite an educational and inspirational read. You need this book.
Joey’s book is amazing and has given me a lot of hope. She outlines simple tools to help heal your dizzy feelings and offers emotional coping tools to handle the inevitable depression and anxiety that often accompany this condition. At first glance the work can seem too simple to be a true solution, but in applying her practices and her home exercises progress happens. Especially helpful are her tips for how to reclaim your life while still feeling your NQR ( not quite right ) sensations. She offers a roadmap and serves as a soothing guide on this journey of self healing. She is the real deal and I can’t recommend her and her work highly enough.
I had suffered with Vertigo for 20 years, multiple medical tests/audiology tests/specialist visits….the outcome, no one could help me. Anxiety & panic attacks were part of my life THEN a friend recommended Joey. Words cannot express the changes her book made to my life. I literally have my life back. Joey herself has experienced Vertigo & Tinnitus, she understands. Her book is an ‘easy read’ it isn’t full of medical jargon, it is full of how to live life & how to help yourself through amazing approach to healing. I have learnt so much about myself through reading this book. In truth everyone would benefit from reading it. Happy reading, Kaye Kemp
Now I am not someone who will give anything a go, I have to have evidence and strong belief to follow something. This book is like no other for people with NQR sensations. I found out about Joey and her work approximately 4 months ago and have benefited from it massively. I have moved from being anxious and wanting to run away from myself to accepting and developing a new relationship with my body and mind. I have also joined her FB page which is so valuable. This book explains Neuroplasticity in a simple way and gives you tools for self healing. I would highly recommend it, you have nothing to lose. Happy healing x
Rock Steady is a journey into self awareness and self-control. Joey brings to the challenge her professional and clinical experiences with clients who have found normal medical approaches have failed to help. The fact that so many balance issues are treatable by coming to understand one's own capacities for self treatment and condition management is a revelation. It is a joy to know that the resources you need are at hand and not at the end of a medical prescription. The fact that it is not easy to confront oneself and dig deep to pull together the resources that are within us is clear. But, Rock Steady works. What more do you want? Thanks Joey.
Joey's book and program helped me when nothing else seemed to make a difference. She brought my fear down surrounding my condition and helped me to walk a path of healing with confidence. Her book is informative, easy to read, and tremendously insightful. I also did her Rock Steady program and I learned so much about the vestibular system that I would have never known had I not stumbled upon it. I love the concept of neuroplasticity and how it gives us so much hope in a natural way to heal our bodies. God really did give our bodies the ability to heal on its own when given the right tools.
Everyone who struggles with anxiety needs to read this book...it does not just apply to those with tinnitus or vertigo. I would go so far as to say this book can change your life. Amazing. The only downside is the "new age" angle it sometimes has...especially in the last chapter. A little bit too much self love preaching in it for me. Although I do agree that self care and self love is important...but it seemed the author wants us to put our feelings above relationships. Not sure how I feel about that.
If you can get past that...then I would 10/10 recommend this book!
this is a must-read book and not only for tinnitus or vertigo sufferers. I was absolutely blown away! So revolutionary how you are able to heal yourself through neuroplasticity. It was really interesting reading and after reading this book I have changed my attitude towards tinnitus. I hope this book will be translated into more languages and it will be better known not only amongst ENT, neurologists, physiotherapists, etc. Thank you, Joey! It was a lifesaver!
Joey's ability to help people dealing with vertigo and tinnitus is one of a kind. Her book helps you understand how to heal yourself gently and kindly using neuroplasticity. It is simply written for all to understand. It gives hope when you feel all hope is lost. It also serves as a reference book to go back to time and again. Rock Steady changes your life and outlook to life. I cannot recommend it enough.
Here a note from Holland.. I am so glad i found you... And read your book. Its clear, easy and finally everything falls into places. I got lots of information here from professionals...but only bits and pieces. So this book is really very very helpfull to put all of the pieces together. Thank you for sharing so much from your knowledge and also yourself in a lot of interviews... Thank you...for being you...and being here💓
I purchased this book after experiencing bothersome and persistent tinnitus. I had previous seen multiply specialist including GP, ENT Surgeon and audiologists who all told me there is nothing that can be done. After reading the book I gained a valuable insight to my Tinnitus. I am now in a better place to understand that I can heal myself. Anyone suffering from Tinnitus, Vertigo or similar unwanted sensations this book is a must to read. I now have hope.
A tedious advertisement for her expensive treatment offering, this book offers very little specific or useful advice for PPPD sufferers. While there’s nothing wrong with the endless chapters of background advice, it’s very general and not especially relevant to PPPD.
I would have expected at least a couple of specific exercises for rehabilitation of vestibular functions or vestibular ocular reflexes.