Common Concerns About the Signal Relief Patch: What Users Are Asking
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Many people who are interested in pain relief technology have legitimate questions about the Signal Relief Patch. Pain relief is a vulnerable industry, and some companies prey on those who suffer from chronic pain. As we’ve reviewed comments, we know that some of you have come to the conclusion that our product belongs in the snake oil and cable tv scam category.
And there is a reasonable basis for these conclusions--scientific studies take time and significant investment to prove. We’ve conducted preliminary, small-scale studies that show a reduction in perceived pain, with one internal pilot showing over 85% of participants reporting a reduction in perceived pain within 72 hours. These results were self-reported and not from a double-blind clinical trial. These studies are encouraging, but they’re early. We’re currently investing in broader research partnerships to understand what’s happening—on the skin, in the nerves, and in the brain.
We respect the scientific process. We also respect personal experience and believe in the positive impact this has had for thousands of users so far.
This article is our direct response to some of the most common concerns and questions we see—especially those related to musculoskeletal pain, where users most often report success. We’ve included references to research and to articles we’ve published internally, like Understanding Electroceuticals and Musculoskeletal Pain: Myths vs. Facts, so you can dig deeper if you choose.
Is Signal Relief a scam?
While we are not a medical device, and we make no claim to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition, many of our users do report meaningful relief. Our continued efforts are to pursue clinical research to better understand their experience.
Every patch comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects, so you can try it risk-free. For more thoughts on user experiences, we discuss placebo effects below.
Does this only work because of placebo?
That’s a fair question. Placebo is powerful, and it's part of every wellness product—whether a pill, a patch, or a pair of compression socks. In a situation like chronic pain, just feeling like you have some power over your pain can be invigorating.
Although the research on the duration of the placebo effect varies, especially in subjective pain perception, we hope that the 45-day trial period method we advocate for is long enough to distinguish how valuable the product is to you. For more thoughts on making the most of this period, see the Conclusion of this article.
Why don’t you have peer-reviewed clinical trials?
Signal Relief participated in a small pilot study published in 2023, which suggested a positive trend in pain reduction among users. You can read the full study here (PDF). As of 2024, results from our original musculoskeletal pain trial were formally posted to the public registry. A second clinical pilot study—focused on post-operative hip and knee pain—has also been completed, with initial results in early 2024.
That said, we acknowledge that a few small pilot studies do not constitute definitive evidence. Larger-scale, peer-reviewed clinical trials are necessary to fully understand the mechanisms and effectiveness of this type of technology. While we don’t currently have published studies beyond these initial ones, we are in ongoing discussions about further research partnerships and development.
For more on how the pilot study fits into the broader landscape of pain research, our article “Musculoskeletal Pain: Myths vs. Facts” provides additional context.
How is the patch supposed to work?
The Signal Relief patch is a passive device. It does not emit a charge or transmit energy. Instead, it contains a thin, flexible pattern of conductive materials engineered to support signal modulation.
Our working theory—based on both user experience and existing electroceutical research—is that the patch interacts with the body's natural electromagnetic signaling in a way that may help the nervous system filter or dampen discomfort. This is similar in spirit (though not identical in function) to the way larger clinical electroceutical devices aim to modulate nerve signaling.
You can read more about this in our article “Understanding Electroceuticals.”
Why is it so expensive?
The short answer is because of the product’s lifetime. The patch itself is reusable and designed to last for years. Adhesives may need to be replaced over time, depending on use. Behind its simplicity is a proprietary pattern of conductive layers developed through significant technological R&D—making it fundamentally different from disposable pain patches or wearables with batteries.
We believe in making this value clear, which is why every patch comes with a 45-day risk-free trial and a 1-year warranty. For suggestions on making the most of the trial period, see below.
Where should I place the patch?
The most common question we get from first-time users is: “Where should I put it?”
Our general guidance—especially for musculoskeletal pain—is to place the patch between the area of pain and your spine. This aligns with how sensory nerves transmit signals to the brain. For example:
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- Lower back pain: Place the patch slightly above the area of discomfort, near the lumbar spine.
- Knee pain: Try the upper thigh or above the knee joint.
- Shoulder pain: Use the patch on the trapezius or upper back, near the neck.
We recommend experimenting a bit to find your personal “sweet spot.” Many users report that a subtle shift in placement—up or down by an inch—can make a difference. Our blog article on musculoskeletal pain covers more on this topic.
We don’t yet have a formal clinical placement guide, but we are gathering feedback from users and healthcare professionals to improve future instructions.
What if it doesn’t work for me?
Not every product works for every person. We recommend a systematic approach to the 45-day trial, detailed below. If the patch doesn’t help, return it—no pressure. And if your patch arrives damaged or fails due to a manufacturing defect, our 1-year warranty has you covered.
Making the Most of Your 45-Day Trial
If you’re considering the Signal Relief patch, we encourage you to treat your 45-day trial like a personal experiment. Pain is subjective, but there are thoughtful, structured ways to evaluate whether the patch is making a difference for you. Here are a few steps we recommend:
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Track a baseline before you start using the patch, ideally 2-3 days with the same data you will be logging during patch use.
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Isolate the variable by not introducing other new pain treatments, if safely possible.
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Rate your pain at consistent intervals each day. Apps like Symple, PainScale, or a physical journal work well. You can also log moods, sleep quality, activity level, etc.
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Systematically introduce pain-triggering activities periodically to test for change.
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Experiment with patch placement, especially on symmetrical pain such as shoulders, to find the most effective spot. You can also note use patterns such as how long you wear the patch and when.
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Ask a partner or family member to observe changes such as movement quality, sleep, or behavior.
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Reflect weekly to look for trends or surprises.
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Watch for delayed effects and continue tracking even if initial impressions are neutral.
Feel free to make use of our free trial tracker as well. Use it to capture your experience day by day, so by the end of the 45 days, you’ll have real data to inform your decision.
Download the 45-Day Trial Tracker to get started.
If you have a pacemaker, defibrillator, or any implanted neuromodulation device, consult your doctor before using the Signal Relief patch.
