How Long Does Signal Relief Take to Work? What to Expect When You Try It

When people discover Signal Relief, one of the first questions they ask is simple: “How long does it take to work?”

The honest answer? It varies. Some people feel relief within minutes, while for others it can take several hours or even a couple of days of consistent use. Pain is complex, and no two bodies respond exactly the same way.

That said, thousands of users including athletes, veterans, seniors and everyday people have shared their experiences with us, and a clear pattern emerges. Here’s what to expect when you start using the patch, and how to give yourself the best chance at success.

In This Article

  1. What To Expect In The First Hour
  2. Relief Over The First Few Days
  3. Factors That Influence Results
  4. Tips To Maximize Results
  5. Real User Experiences
  6. Try Signal Relief

1. What To Expect In The First Hour

Signal Relief uses technology that interacts with your nervous system, helping to calm the discomfort signals being sent to the brain. That means some users feel a noticeable difference almost immediately after applying the patch. For example, a customer dealing with lower back pain and struggling to walk told us: 

"Lower back pain was keeping me from walking my dog more than one block. I was contemplating surgery. Heard about your patch, ordered it, put it on and I was able to walk 4 blocks without pain." - Susan R. Verified Customer

That kind of fast response isn’t unusual, but it also isn’t universal. If you don’t notice a change right away, don’t give up, the patch may need a little more time, especially if your pain has been around for years.

When the patch is in the right place, you might feel a warm or tingling sensation. If you do not feel any of these effects, try adjusting the location until you do. We recommend leaving the patch on for at least 5 to 15 minutes in one location before moving it.

2. Relief Over The First Few Days

Pain has a memory. If your body has been experiencing discomfort for months or years, your nervous system may take longer to adjust. Many customers report gradual improvements over the first two to three days of consistent use.

During this period, it’s important to keep wearing the patch in the same spot and give your body time to respond.

3. Factors That Influence Results

Every body is different, and so is every type of pain. Factors like where the pain is located, how long you’ve been experiencing it, and how your nervous system responds can all affect timing.

Some people notice dramatic relief within minutes, while others find that the patch works gradually, providing more comfort over a few days of use. Both experiences are normal.

Here are several factors that can shape how quickly you notice relief:

  • Type of Pain: Acute pain (like soreness after activity) may respond faster than chronic pain.

  • Duration of Pain: The longer the pain has been present, the longer it may take to notice improvement.

  • Patch Placement: Correct placement matters! Our guides can help you find the best spot.  View our Patch Placement Guide to target the area of pain you are experiencing to find relief with the Signal Patch.

  • Individual Sensitivity: Everyone’s nervous system reacts differently to external input. Part of this comes down to mind-body connection. Read more about how the Placebo Effect really works.

4. Tips To Maximize Results

Whether you’re in need of relief for chronic discomfort or recovering from an injury or procedure, finding proper placement of the Signal Relief patch is paramount. Since everybody and every body is different, placement of the patch will vary slightly.

To help your body respond as quickly as possible:

  1. For best results, place the Signal Relief patch between the pain and your brain. Locate the source of your discomfort before applying the adhesive or securing the patch in place. We recommend placing the patch directly over or approximately 1” above where you feel the most intense discomfort.

  2. Wear it consistently for at least a few days. Leaving the patch on for 2-3 days, including overnight, is when most individuals feel the best relief! Once you have found the proper placement for relief, secure the patch in place. You can use the included adhesives or simply tuck the Signal Relief patch inside a close-fitting article of clothing such as the waistband of your pants, inside a sports bra, or under a compression sleeve. The Signal Relief patch is most effective when worn in direct contact with the skin; however, skin-to-skin contact is not necessary for relief.

  3. Be patient! Relief may come gradually but still be meaningful. Give Signal Relief several minutes to start working initially, then wait at least 15 minutes in each area while searching for the source of your discomfort. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t find the proper placement right away! Once the patch is in the right position, you may experience a warming or tingling sensation.

  4. Stay hydrated and keep your body moving...circulation helps!  Get back to the life you love by using the Signal Relief patch daily or as often as you need it for long lasting, affordable, drug-free relief. The Signal Relief patch is non-habit forming and does not put anything into your body. Many experience the most relief after wearing the patch for 24-72 hours. For the best results, wear the patch overnight.

For interactive assistance at any point in the placement process, reach out to our live U.S. based customer service team Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm MST: +1 (833) 572-0403.

5. Real User Experiences

"Bought the patch for my 82 year old Mother who has suffered constant moderate to severe back pain due to herniated disc at L2 for decades. Within 2 days, the pain was gone! She is now after three weeks a daily user and is getting back to an active lifestyle from a woman stuck in a chair! Now to exercise to get the rest of her life back. Highly recommend." - Dr. B Verified Customer

"...my hip pain was so extreme nothing I had could touch the pain (doesn't happen often) last resort I reached for Signal patch. The pain immediately left. I fell asleep with the patch on, so 7 hrs and when I removed it, I was pleasantly surprised that the pain remained lower, the extreme was gone. I'll never be without this patch, it does block the pain receptors from reaching your brain, it's amazing. Thank you Signal!" - Shelby V. Verified Customer

"My father is 100 years old and is in a wheelchair. When he transfers out of the wheelchair into another chair or bed, he was experiencing shoulder pain. He tried creams and Tylenol but got very little relief. We tried the patches and he is getting relief from pain in that shoulder. He is very happy with your product!" - Randall W. Verified Customer 

"I purchased this for my 87-year-old mother, who has degenerated discs in her back, which cause her to have pain in her lower legs. . We had exhausted all other remedies, including a device that was implanted to do something similar to what the Signal patch does. The price was enough to give some pause to it, but the money-back guarantee made it worth giving it a shot. It has brought her relief, and the relief has been almost immediate when she puts the patch on. Glad to have found something that has helped restore some quality to her life." - Tommy L. Verified Customer 

Stories like these remind us that while everyone’s timeline is different, the result (relief) is worth the wait.

6. Try Signal Relief

When you’re dealing with ongoing pain, you want relief and you want it fast. One of the most common questions we hear is: “How long does Signal Relief take to work?” The answer is encouraging: for many people, relief comes quickly, sometimes within minutes. For others, it may take a few hours or days of consistent use. Read our article "Is Your Pain Relief Patch Working?" for more insights.

Signal Relief isn’t a drug, and it doesn’t mask pain the way medications do. Instead, it works with your body’s natural electrical signals to help calm discomfort at the source. That process can happen quickly for some people, and more gradually for others.

Whether you feel it in minutes or days, the goal is the same: to help you get back to life without pain calling the shots.

Ready to try it for yourself? Explore Signal Relief today.