Our feet contain a quarter of the overall bones in our body, and when you take a minute to consider just what they are put through everyday, they're pretty useful! However, in just a days work they could be subjected to miles of walking, uncomfortable high heels, pinching shoes and running a couple of miles for good measure. So, why don't we take more care of these essential parts of our bodies?

A couple of blisters here and there when your shoes pinch may seem a minor ailment, but when you actually see the statistics involved in what ill-fitting footwear can cause later on down the line, you may change your mind. A worrying 20% of British men have foot pain on a regular basis, whilst a whopping 80% of women have some form of foot problem. Thus, it isn't just a triviality, a minor hiccup in our health, but a serious issue that is causing much discomfort later on down the line.

Many podiatrists have warned that these staggering statistics show to just what extent ill-fitting shoes have on overall foot health, with many of the above cases being a result of bad footwear. High heels, shoes with zero support, shoes that pinch...are all examples of what types of footwear can affect your foot health later on in life; if worn on a frequent basis.

However, we've heard the warnings before, so why aren't people taking notice? Perhaps it is because of the glamorous images that are portrayed around fashionable footwear, e.g. high heels. For example, pregnant Amanda Holden was seen tottering around in high heels last week despite being just weeks away from giving birth.

Furthermore, according to the University of East Anglia's recent research, high heels are linked to the painful condition of 'flat feet'. High heels can weaken the tendons of the feet, which can then lead to the arch of the foot collapsing, causing problems with posture and sore soles. In Britain, 15% of people are thought to suffer from flat feet, and footwear choices often become harder due to this.

Professor Alan Silman of Arthritis Research UK commented on recent research that has been conducted, saying; “Foot problems are an important and not sufficiently recognised cause of pain and disability in the elderly.

“This research represents a first step to unravelling some of the complex biochemistry that regulates tendon disorders.”

Worryingly only 19% of sufferers will actually seek help regarding their foot problems, and with ill-fitting footwear linked to back pain, migraines and osteoporosis, many are suffering in silence.

But why do many people leave their foot problems untreated? Mike O'Neill from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists believes it is what he calls 'Ostrich Syndrome', suggesting: “People don't like their feet – they consider them the ugliest part of the body, so they don't pay any attention to what's going on down there.”

However, by ignoring any pain you may feel in your feet, you could be putting yourself at risk of further problems down the line. Andy Goldberg, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS added: “Problems can build for a long time before they really hurt. So people put up with it until the problem becomes permanent.”

So, don't suffer in silence, if you think you have a problem with your feet or if you're constantly feeling uncomfortable, seek medical advice!