TNA UK’s Show TN 3 Fingers campaign has passed 100,000 YouTube views ahead of International Trigeminal Neuralgia Day on 7 October — turning a simple three-finger signal into a visible way to explain the three branches of the trigeminal nerve.
Show TN 3 Fingers was conceived by TNA UK Chief Executive Aneeta Prem MBE as a simple visual way to help make trigeminal neuralgia visible. The campaign invites patients, families, friends and supporters to take a photograph or short video using the three-finger gesture, share it and nominate others.
Watch the campaign film
Show three. Share it. Nominate three. The film is free to share for awareness. See the full campaign and how to take part.
Real faces. Real support.
Real campaign photographs shared by people helping make trigeminal neuralgia visible.
International Trigeminal Neuralgia Day
7 October is a focal point for raising public and professional awareness of trigeminal neuralgia and the profound effect severe facial pain can have on everyday life.
TNA UK’s 2026 campaign brings together Show TN 3 Fingers and Face of TN, using real people, short films and a simple visual signal to make an often invisible neurological condition easier to recognise and understand.
Why three fingers?
“I came up with the idea of Show TN 3 Fingers because I wanted people to understand, at a glance, where the three main branches of the trigeminal nerve sit — V1, V2 and V3. I wanted to create a simple, visible signal that people could understand whether they live with TN or had never heard of it before.”
Four simple steps
- Show three fingers. Take a photograph or short video holding three fingers beside your face, without pressing on it.
- Share your triggers if you wish. People living with TN can optionally name up to three things that trigger or worsen their pain.
- Nominate or tag three people. Invite three others to take part and help the campaign travel beyond the TN community.
- Use the campaign hashtags. Add #ShowTN3Fingers and #FaceOfTN.
See the full 7 October campaign and participation guide
Why awareness matters
Awareness is not simply about recognition. It can help people describe symptoms more clearly, seek appropriate assessment sooner and understand why an apparently invisible condition can have such a serious effect on daily life.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological pain disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve. Attacks are typically sudden, severe and electric-shock-like, and can be triggered by everyday actions such as talking, eating, brushing the teeth, washing the face or a light breeze.
TN is considered rare. Published studies report annual incidence estimates ranging from roughly 4 to 29 people per 100,000, with variation depending on how cases are defined and identified.
TN can be difficult to recognise and may be confused with dental or other facial pain. Severe attacks can affect eating, speaking, sleep, work, social life and emotional wellbeing — even when there is nothing visible to others.
Clinical sources: NHS · Royal College of Surgeons of England / Faculty of Dental Surgery guidance.
For journalists and broadcasters
TNA UK can provide journalists and broadcasters with campaign material, patient perspectives, background on trigeminal neuralgia and interview enquiries for International Trigeminal Neuralgia Day on 7 October.
International Trigeminal Neuralgia Day: 7 October 2026
Campaign: Show TN 3 Fingers · Face of TN
Organisation: Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK
Hashtags: #ShowTN3Fingers · #FaceOfTN
Show three. Share it. Nominate three.
Patients, families, friends and supporters can all take part in Show TN 3 Fingers. Hold three fingers beside your face, share a photograph or short video and invite three more people to continue the chain.