Apple Watch causing wrist pain

I had the same issue and it was driving me crazy so I did some research and found out to move the watch up your arm away from your wrist. It already feels better. What a relief.

Here’s the ZDNET article I found. Hope it helps!

https://www.zdnet.com/article/one-month-with-the-apple-watch-pain-joy-and-daily- experiences/

This is not the place to do that, it is a user-to-user technical support site. Some people have issues with the Apple Watch due to the clunkiness of the back, thickness and size (it hits a nerve on your wrist which will cause the sensations you have). Move it higher up on your arm for a test.

What is not happening: The WiFi/Bluetooth radios are NOT causing it (studied to death) and the heart rate sensor, a visible spectrum light, is not doing it. And if you have the GPS+Cellular it is not the cellular radiation doing it.

Look, I was pretty convinced that it was wifi, or radiation, or the heart rate monitor, or any other thing until I turned the watch off and wore it. I noticed the pain was the same. I got a different band, loosened the band, and eventually the pain went away.

Turn it off and wear it. Does the pain persist?

Hey Lili,

When I was reading your Comments on the wrist pain as if you are talking about my case, when I bought the Iwatch series 3 42MM in October I started having a severe pain in my wrist, going to my arms and even my Thumb, I thougth something related to my nerve system, i went to get a diagnostic from a physitherapist and been told It seems I have a neck problem which affecting my hand, despite that I don't have neck pain, so I doubted that the Iwatch is creating this pain.

i removed it from my right hand and put it on left hand I am doing this since 2 to 3 weeks and since 2 days I start having the same pain on the left hand. I am still doubting but I will remove the watch for 1 month at least then will come back and will write my comments on this.

My right hand is better 90% no pain.

Thank you for sharing this and will keep in touch for sure.

Sam

That is a really good description of a pinched nerve, did you try loosening the band? If that doesn't help see your doctor immediately as you may have the start of carpal tunnel syndrome and catching it early is very helpful in recovery. And yes, lots of people have issues with nerves in their wrist from watches/jewelry and carpal tunnel syndrome. Good luck to you.

SEE A DOCTOR. The symptom you describe is a classic sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

SEE A DOCTOR. The symptom you describe is a classic sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

I’ve had the same pains but was in denial because I really want to love my watch. I googled Apple Watch wrist pain and that’s how I got to this forum. However I also found an article that says if you wear your watch higher up on your arm it relieves the pain. I actually loosened the strap before I read this and by the time I got to the article my wrote had already stopped hurting. I’d recommend trying to move the watch further up away from your wrist (I loosened 1 notch on the sport band) and see how that works for you. Hope this helps us all.

I wore my Apple Watch Series 3 daily for about a month and then just last week my wrist started hurting. I stopped wearing the watch and the pain went away after a couple of days. I tried wearing it again this week but after less than an hour of wearing it, I noticed that I had a good sized lump where the sensor was touching my wrist.

I spoke with the local Apple Store staff this afternoon in Anchorage, Alaska and was instructed to try the following:

1) Wash the watch

2) Change the orientation of the buttons (I set the buttons to be on the right side)

3) Change wrist the watch is on (I am left handed and wear it on my right wrist)

4) Purchase a new watch band and swap it with the one the watch came with (sport band)

5) Purchase a stainless steel watch

I changed the orientation of the buttons which seemed to help for a bit, and I purchased a new nylon band but after about an hour I removed the watch due to pain in my wrist then radiating up my forearm.

I am not going to switch the watch to my left arm as I can not stand bulky items on my left wrist and I really do not want pain in both arms.

I will try washing the watch, but if that does not fix the issue, I plan to return to the Apple Store for more information on how to fix this issue.

Hope this helps someone else!

Thanks for your report. It usually isn't a vein, it is the tendons and nerves in your wrist that control your fingers. You might want to visit a neurologist to be checked out for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Your dermatologist said radiation from the heart rate sensor was causing this? You need a new dermatologist. The sensor emits light, that is it. It is no-ionizing. It causes no cell damage. If the wave length of light that the sensor is emitting is causing this kind of damage you should never be exposed to a color TV and never go out into sunlight.

Try an allergist instead. You probably have an acute allergy to nickel that you were not aware of.

I was really troubled by the tingling and pain I felt immediately on wearing the watch. I assumed it had something to do with the heart rate monitor or radiation. It wasn't until I turned the watch off and wore it and experienced the same pain, that I realized it was a problem with the fit of the devise. I ended up buying a cloth band and wearing it looser and the pain went away. A combination of the heart rate monitor bubble and the thick silicone band was irritating my wrist, but I have had no pain since starting the cloth band and a looser fit.

It could be the materials in your watch case or the watch band that you are allergic (or just sensitive to). Everyone experiencing problems should see a doctor or a medical professional that can do allergy skin testing.

It is possible there is a machanical issue with the watch band vs your wrist.

It is possible you have an existing Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) on that wrist, and the Apple Watch is aggravating it. Note, you could have RSI just on the border of going full out painful, and the Apple Watch was the last straw that tripped it over the edge.

In all these cases if you want to continue wearing an Apple Watch you need to consult a medical professional. You may want to consult with a medical professional even if you decide to not wear the Apple Watch, as it is possible you are an condition you need to be aware of for the future.

First I want to stress instead of posting here, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist for nerve studies and and EMG test.

No, I don't. I don't have any wrist problems. However, I do agree that your advice is excellent for anyone who is.

It's from the EMF coming from the watch. People can say it's not the cause all they want but that's the reason your wrist is sore. You're sensitive to EMF. I have the same problem.

You most likely have undiagnosed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. <https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/carpal-tunnel/carpal-tunnel-syndrome#1>

You should be seeing a doctor. And until you have it properly diagnosed, you should not wear or do any hand activities that will aggravate it.

There are people that have had to give up very well paying jobs because of Carpal Tunnel.