Level 1

69 points

Apple Watch causing wrist pain

Not that misery likes company but, I am sort of relieved that I’m not alone with this complaint as I thought I was going crazy. Ditto on having wrist pain issues when wearing my new Apple iWatch 3 (42mm with a Sport Band). I was gifted this generous upgrade from my iWatch 2 as a Christmas gift; however my iWatch 2 did not cause me any distress. I wish that I hadn’t sold my iWatch 2 as I would revert to using it.

I am an average statured adult woman with relatively small wrists. My new iWatch 3 has the GPS + cellular feature. I don’t use it to its potential; instead, using it primarily as a watch and occasionally using apps & call feature to read/send texts. I do love the idea of being “untethered” from my iPhone but have yet been able to successfully pair it with my auto’s navigation/call system.

I have no skin irritation/rash issues nor is my band too tight. Like others in this forum, my pain is an aching pain which is deep in my wrist and radiates up my arm which is clearly neurogenic in nature. I’ve tried everything, wearing it on the opposite arm, flipping the watch so that it’s on the anterior vs. posterior surface of my wrist, I’ve turned off the heart rate monitor, minimized the haptics and still continue to experience the pain. The only relief comes after I remove the watch for several hours to a day. I’ve even found myself taking Ibuprofen to minimize the discomfort! After placing it back on my wrist the pain begins within an hour or so.

I hope that with our growing numbers that Apple will take heed and develop a resolve. In the meantime, I am so sad that I cannot wear my high-tech iWatch 3!

iPad 2, iOS 7.0.2

Posted on Jan 22, 2018 2:20 PM

Top-ranking reply

IdrisSeabright

Community+ 2026

Level 10

199,511 points

Posted on Oct 23, 2018 12:33 PM

Cåts wrote:

My ortho had me remove my watch and asked “ is that how you always wear it?” I said yes. He told me that I was wearing my watch improperly and it was pressing on one of many nerve pathways, and that I should entertain wearing it above the wrist bone. He also showed me how to make sure it isn’t too tight by being able to slip a finger under the watch and move it slightly.

It sounds as if you have very smart orthopedist!

I suspect this is the true cause for most people. It's complicated by the fact that there is some variation in human anatomy so the right spot for one person might be just a little of for another person.

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336 replies

Aug 28, 2018 4:04 PM in response to JillLewis

JillLewis wrote:

I have made a false association, that works 100% of the time.

But you know you've turned the heart rate monitor off. What we believe has an affect on pain perception. Unless you had no way of knowing if the heart rate monitor was on or off, you can't be sure that you're not experiencing a placebo effect. Which, by the way, is a lot more plausible than that little lights will cause intense wrist pain.

Sep 17, 2018 9:01 AM in response to KallaLilli

I had the same issue and talked with Apple on this and did my research as well. The honest scientific truth is this:

First of all, all smartwatches would have this issue so this does not only apply to Apple watch (Again apply to all smartwatches).

Answer: As we realize wifi, bluetooth are working at certain frequencies that are not visible to human eye. Our body is made of cells that at the very core is vibrating at certain frequency of energy of itself. When apple watch or any other watch is so close to skin, the frequencies emitted by any smart watch over a period of time will cause those cells to be irritated and hence pains start to happen when the saturation point reaches. Apple has that warning that they shared with me with the image of watch and the range of frequency emitted to be safe. Also, with the LTE version of smart watches this is getting more hairy as its emitting more powerful frequency. The upcoming Apple Watch series 4 will be able to emit frequency from both front and back of the watch that could cause potential serious pain. Sadly, smart watches are smart but they affect the cells of our body and thus the mood as well. For some the saturation level is high and for some low tolerance and their body is very sensitive. Though we love having smart watches, i think it will take time to make them body friendly but its hard to predict when! So this applied to mostly all smart watches.

Branta_uk

Level 7

33,270 points

Sep 17, 2018 10:03 AM in response to KiltedTim

The power of WikiLearning and a PhD from the University of Internet. Maybe some of these people should try spending a day with a real RF engineer.

Oh... wait, maybe not because I'd hate to have them bugging me all day

Sep 17, 2018 2:02 PM in response to Branta_uk

Branta_uk wrote:

The power of WikiLearning and a PhD from the University of Internet. Maybe some of these people should try spending a day with a real RF engineer.

Oh... wait, maybe not because I'd hate to have them bugging me all day

😎

deggie

Level 10

168,155 points

Sep 17, 2018 2:28 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I "fixed" the link and read the original. I think Apple may be going overboard with that one here and now tells me if I write an app for ASMR I won't be able to use Brain ****** Generator as the title.

But thank you for explaining to me what happens when I read those posts. I just reread the last one here. Ooooooooh, Aaaaaaaaaah, oh my God, don't stop.

TMI?

Sep 28, 2018 4:46 PM in response to KallaLilli

Same thing! Love the watch but the shooting pain in the wrist and down the pinky finger can get unbearable at times. In watch series 2 I had the same thing, so i started wearing the watch a little looser - with series 4, I get that same feeling regardless of how loose the band is.

😠 Love the watch, hate the pain.

Oct 2, 2018 9:29 PM in response to Technobabe

have you been able to consult with an MD? I just started wearing the iwatch 3 series today and within two hours I experienced tingling sensations and wrist pains; the sensation has lingered for a few hours now

KiltedTim

Level 10

237,572 points

Oct 23, 2018 11:26 AM in response to KDWinnie

KDWinnie wrote:

I know the arm pain is the WiFi.

No. It's not.

what I don’t understand is why they don’t address the radio waves anywhere with all these complaints!

Because "science".

The pain subsides in everyone who takes their watches off! It’s an OBVIOUS sign it’s an issue.

No. It's not. Why? Again... Science.

We are allowing WiFi in our homes, schools, in our laps and even our kids laps with tablets, and now on our bodies in cell phones and iwatches yet no one has mentioned this! I’m curious as to why that is?

Because the idea that there is a problem is tin-foil hat level junk science.

KDWinnie

Level 1

4 points

Oct 23, 2018 11:31 AM in response to KDWinnie

I am relying on what the scientists that developed this technology have to say about its fact... and what they say is the opposite of what you’re claiming... but sure.. I will get the FACTS from you!?

Oct 23, 2018 11:32 AM in response to KDWinnie

One more point. You use a cell phone. It radiates in a band adjacent to Wi-Fi, but at 50 times the power of Wi-Fi. How can you possibly justify putting yourself and those around you at such a risk if you believe mere Wi-Fi is dangerous?

Get rid of your phone IMMEDIATELY and don’t get near anyone using a cell phone.

KiltedTim

Level 10

237,572 points

Oct 23, 2018 11:32 AM in response to KDWinnie

So what? I can also show you published studies on the Internet that prove aliens are real and are living among us, taking the place of friends and loved ones we've known all our lives. That doesn't make it valid.

To put it simply, the article is garbage.

Oct 23, 2018 11:40 AM in response to KDWinnie

KDWinnie wrote:

I am relying on what the scientists that developed this technology have to say about its fact... and what they say is the opposite of what you’re claiming... but sure.. I will get the FACTS from you!?

Except you didn't show as any studies by scientists.

KDWinnie

Level 1

4 points

Oct 23, 2018 11:43 AM in response to KiltedTim

Can you just for one second be serious and entertain the idea that since the possibility that these waves cause damage exists.. much like a cell phone in a bra can cause abnormal cancerous cells to grow... (proven) what can an iWatch do on your wrist? What then? And why all the smart arse remarks? So unnecessary ... all in an effort to discredit what I believe ... or simply bc idea I entertain an idea some of you never would? It’s like a schoolyard if bullies! Geez!

Oct 23, 2018 11:50 AM in response to KDWinnie

KDWinnie wrote:

Can you just for one second be serious and entertain the idea that since the possibility that these waves cause damage exists.. much like a cell phone in a bra can cause abnormal cancerous cells to grow... (proven)

No, it's not proven. Here's what the National Cancer Institute has to say:

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/cell-phones -fact-sheet

I can entertain lots of ideas. I can also read the science that tells me whether or not they are likely to be true.

KiltedTim

Level 10

237,572 points

Oct 23, 2018 11:56 AM in response to KDWinnie

KDWinnie wrote:

Can you just for one second be serious and entertain the idea that since the possibility that these waves cause damage exists.. much like a cell phone in a bra can cause abnormal cancerous cells to grow... (proven) what can an iWatch do on your wrist? What then? And why all the smart arse remarks? So unnecessary ... all in an effort to discredit what I believe ... or simply bc idea I entertain an idea some of you never would? It’s like a schoolyard if bullies! Geez!

I can entertain lots of ideas. I have looked into this assertion and discarded it as pure crap. As I have the idea that vaccines cause autism, that the current warming of the Earth is "natural" as opposed to man-made, and that benevolent aliens built the pyramids.

If you truly believe these things, I'll attribute it to ignorance, which can be corrected by education. Please educate yourself. I don't have to discredit what you believe. It's already been discredited over and over again.

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Apple Watch causing wrist pain