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Supermodel Naomi Campbell and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham may be celebrities, but they suffer from the same condition that affects two-thirds of all women: foot discomfort. Painful bunions reportedly afflicted both of these high-profile women, but bunions are just one of the many everyday foot ailments suffered by an increasing number of women.

This celebrity duo spent years as fashion slaves in extreme styles of pointed-toe and high-heeled shoes, and those years have taken their toll. But even though most women don't have to be concerned with paparazzi and fashion photographers, headlines about the celebrity duo's plight has brought media awareness to the importance of comfort in women's shoes.

Women's shoes that don't fit correctly or whose design causes pressure in spots nature never intended can trigger swelling and pain, and can also lead to long-term foot problems. Corns, calluses, bunions, blisters, heel and arch pain-all can be the result of a shoe that doesn't fit properly or hasn't been designed with female anatomy in mind. These problems may eventually lead to gait or posture problems, all the result of improper shoes. It's even been suggested that they can cause wrinkles, a result of so much painful grimacing over the years.

Notice we've been talking strictly about women, as they're much more likely to wear poor fitting shoes than men. Men have their own problems to deal with, as evidenced by the headlines about David Beckham, Victoria's soccer-playing husband, when the metatarsal bone went from obscurity to everyday language after he hurt his foot during last year's World Cup.

Foot problems in women is even more prevalent in England than in the colonies. Research shows that British women spend more time on their feet each day, especially at work. And don't think the rest of Europe isn't aware of these problems-workers are rarely required to stand more than two hours a day in Sweden for this reason.

The number of workdays lost by female workers due to foot, toe, and ankle-related problems is increasing everywhere. According to trade union leaders, over 2 million workdays are lost to lower limb disorders each year. Nearly 200,000 workers in almost any industry you can imagine blame their jobs for causing or worsening these ailments. Complaints have come from nurses, teachers, receptionists, bartenders, waitresses, hairdressers, lab techs, postal workers, and many other fields.

A good example of why comfort is rapidly becoming the main consideration when buying shoes is the airline industry. A cabin crew typically works 12 hours a day, four or five days a week, and spends most of that time on their feet. The result is the same as walking six miles each day, while at 30,000 feet it's not very easy to do anything about an ill-fitting shoe.

It's been more than a century since doctors first warned of the risks of prolonged standing in unsuitable shoes, and getting a shoe that mixes comfort and style with affordability is even more important today. The old adage that "healthy shoes mean healthy feet" is as true today as it ever was.

Shoes that fit properly and provide proper support are vital to prevent sore feet and many other common foot problems, but another important aspect of proper footwear is providing traction. Your risk of slipping and falling will be minimized by the proper choice of shoes.

One way to lessen foot discomfort caused by shoes is to consider switching to a different pair from day to day. This will aid in varying posture and help to distribute your weight over a wider variety of muscles and joints. Another benefit of alternating shoes is that it allows them to dry thoroughly, thereby reducing bacterial growth. This is especially important with sports footwear and will allow your shoes to last longer, saving money in the long run.