The Facial Pain Association (FPA) Highlights Trigeminal Neuralgia and the Facial Pain Community during Facial Pain Awareness Month

Buildings and monuments around the world light up teal to show support. Awareness Month activities also highlight patient stories, educational resources, and the launch of the new Facial Pain Registry

SUWANEE, Ga., Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Throughout October, the Facial Pain Association (FPA) commemorates Facial Pain Awareness Month by honoring those living with neuropathic facial pain. The FPA, the leading national nonprofit serving this community, brings together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates to shed light on conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia (TN), persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP), and other neuropathic facial pain disorders.

Key awareness dates include:

Oct. 7: Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
Oct. 10: Geniculate Neuralgia Awareness Day
Oct. 14: Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Awareness Day
Oct. 25: Occipital Neuralgia Awareness Day

Neuropathic facial pain is characterized by severe pain in areas such as the eyes and mouth. Everyday activities — smiling, talking, eating, brushing teeth — can trigger excruciating episodes lasting minutes or hours, often multiple times a day. Left undiagnosed or untreated, it can become profoundly debilitating.

“Facial pain is often misunderstood, including by many healthcare professionals, leaving patients on a long and frustrating road before arriving at a proper diagnosis and treatment plan,” emphasized Dr. Raymond Sekula, Chair of the FPA’s Medical Advisory Board and Professor of Neurological Surgery at Columbia University. “The most important way to expedite the patient’s journey toward pain relief starts with awareness.”

The Facial Pain Registry

This year also marks a milestone with the launch of the Facial Pain Registry, a first-of-its-kind initiative introduced in June. The Registry collects patient-reported data to help researchers, clinicians, and policymakers better understand the impact of facial pain and improve treatment and outcomes.

“Facial Pain Awareness Month is about giving voice to a community that is often overlooked,” said Melissa Baumbick, CEO of the FPA. “Through awareness activities and the launch of the Facial Pain Registry, we are building a stronger foundation for research, advocacy, and support for everyone living with facial pain.”

Since June, the FPA has been actively recruiting participants to build this critical resource. By joining the Registry, individuals ensure their voices and experiences are represented in a way that drives research and advances care. Participation is open not only to those living with neuropathic facial pain, but also to individuals with comorbid conditions such as migraine or temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD). To learn more and get involved, visit www.facepain.org.

Facial Pain Awareness Month

Awareness activities extend beyond the Registry. The FPA invites the public to take part in raising awareness and supporting the community during October. People can purchase teal merchandise, host fundraisers, share experiences on social media, and spread the word about facial pain disorders. Learn more at https://www.facepain.org/face-today-together/ and don’t forget to tag the FPA in posts.

Visibility is another key theme this year. Over 50 buildings, bridges, and monuments will light up in teal to show support for those living with neuropathic facial pain. Landmarks range from well-known skyscrapers and sports stadiums to small-town village halls. A full list of participating sites can be found at https://www.facepain.org/blog/light-it-up-teal/.

Light it Up Teal Participants as of October 1

Site	Location	Lighting Date
Malcolm Fraser Bridge	Canberra, Australia	October 7
Big Banana Fun Park	Coffs Harbour, Australia	October 7
Matagarup Bridge	Perth, Australia	October 7
Mount Street Bridge	Perth, Australia	October 7
Sky Ribbon	Perth, Australia	October 7
Joondalup Drive Bridge	Perth, Australia	October 7
Northbridge Tunnel	Perth, Australia	October 7
Great Northern Highway Port Hedland Interchange Bridge	Perth, Australia	October 7
The Bell Tower	Perth, Australia	October 7
Calgary Tower	Calgary, Alberta, Canada	October 7
Science World	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada	October 7
City Hall	Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada	October 7
Peace Bridge	Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada	October 7
Ranfurly House Dungannon	Mid Ulster, Ireland	October 7
Burnavon Cookstown	Mid Ulster, Ireland	October 7
Bridewell Magherafelt	Mid Ulster, Ireland	October 7
Brighton Place Pier	Brighton, United Kingdom	October 7
Sloss Furnaces	Birmingham, Alabama	October 7
Birmingham Zoo	Birmingham, Alabama	October 7
Union Plaza Building	Little Rock, Arkansas	October 7
“M” Sign, City of Moreno Valley	Moreno Valley, California	October 7
Jack’s Urban Meeting Place	Boise, Idaho	October 7
Willis Tower	Chicago, Illinois	October 7
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge	Fort Wayne, Indiana	October 7
AES Indiana Window Lights	Indianapolis, Indiana	October 7
Gloucester Clock Tower	Gloucester, Massachusetts	October 7
Norman B. Leventhal Park	Boston, Massachusetts	October 7
France Avenue Lighting	Edina, Minnesota	October 7
Mayo Clinic	Phoenix, Arizona	October 7
Mayo Clinic	Rochester, Minnesota	October 7
Truliant Tower	Winston-Salem, North Carolina	October 7
Bob Kerrey Bridge	Omaha, Nebraska	October 7
First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains	Pompton Plains, New Jersey	October 7
MEET Center	Las Vegas, Nevada	October 7
Myriad Botanical Gardens Crystal Bridge	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	October 7
Skydance Bridge	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	October 7
Gulf Tower & Koppers Building	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	October 7
PECO Crown Lights	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	October 7
One Liberty Place	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	October 7
Pennsylvania Convention Center	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	October 7
Rock Hill Water Tower	Rock Hill, South Carolina	October 7
Alamo Quarry Market Smokestacks	San Antonio, Texas	October 7-9
Bank of America Tower	Dallas, Texas	October 7
City Hall	Houston, Texas	October 7
Seattle Convention Center Arch	Seattle, Washington	October
Milwaukee County Courthouse	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	October 7
Sakonnet River Bridge	Portsmouth and Tiverton, Rhode Island	October 7
High Level Bridge	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	October 21
One Monarch Place — Marquee Lights	Springfield, Massachusetts	October 21
Round Island Lighthouse	Pascagoula, Mississippi	October 21
I-35 Bridge	Minneapolis, Minnesota	October 21
Mitchell Park Domes	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	November 27

For more information about Facial Pain Awareness Month or to enroll in the Facial Pain Registry, visit the FPA at www.facepain.org.

About Facial Pain Association: The Facial Pain Association (FPA) is a registered non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer-led and community-focused organization. We are the largest patient organization supporting all people affected by neuropathic facial pain, leading the world in resources for information and healthcare guidance. Through programs of education, personal support, and advocacy efforts, the FPA supports patients, their loved ones and caregivers, and healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat people affected by facial pain.

Contact:
Natalie Merrithew
1 800 923 3608
nmerrithew@facepain.org

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/967ed609-09b9-4b83-835a-ac2ee259bf6e

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/39ad34c5-edb2-4a91-b02d-0eeda7f63bcb

The Facial Pain Registry

Facial Pain Awareness Month

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