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

197,093 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

Feb 13, 2019 2:11 PM in response to sittels

By the way Idris is giving the same old story to everyone without even trying to understand what people are experiencing.

I understand that people are saying they are experiencing a new and unusual pain. That means you need to see a doctor, not a bunch of fellow users on a technical support forum. Would you go to your doctor if you started having trouble with your computer?

deggie

Level 10

167,943 points

Apr 3, 2019 1:39 PM in response to Kelli96

If the heart sensor is still accurately recording your heart rate after you put your tape on it then it is much more likely that the metal and/or ceramics on the bottom of your iPhone is causing you problems than the light itself. I do have a rare blood disease where I am extremely photosensitive to light in the 385 to 415 nanobar range, because it is visible light you need nonporous materials to completely block it. Same would be true for the heart sensor.

BobHarris

Level 9

58,209 points

Apr 13, 2019 12:45 PM in response to Dozer2010

Dozer2010 wrote:

Just thought I’d search for this problem and I really thought I was just being paranoid, but since I got my Series 3 Apple Watch, I’ve been getting a burning sensation under the watch, and Ive also developed a small hard lump which is directly under the sensors. When I use my Microsoft Band 2 I never suffer anything at all, but after a couple of hours wearing my Series 3 I start to feel burning and the small lump gets really irritated. I’ll take a photo, but not sure if it will show up, but it sure does nip. I wondered if I was either sensitive to the light produced by the sensors, or to the tech inside the watch? Such a strange, and clearly common issue. Hope someone can resolve all this as these things aren’t cheap. The photo below is just as I’ve taken my Series 3 off!https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/cd3030b7-c4cc-43eb-bcb1-f57abc35bef4

You most likely are having an allergic reaction to material in the watch. You should stop wearing it until you consult with your doctor and any specialist they recommend.

Apr 26, 2019 9:47 AM in response to Meena246

The pain you are experiencing is due to your sensitivity to the EMF that the watch is emitting. The reason not everyone has the same pain issue is because not everyone has the same level of sensitivity to EMF. Because of that a lot of people say it's BS but it isn't. I had the same issue and when I stopped wearing the watch the pain went away.

Jun 13, 2019 12:27 PM in response to okayestM0M

okayestM0M wrote:

It's more likely that you have a sensitivity to the EMF that the watch puts off.

That is absolute nonsense. Your phone puts out about 100 times the energy that the watch does. So if "EMF" (which doesn't exist) were the cause then just carrying your phone would put you in continuous agony. As has been pointed out this subject has been tested for the past 50 years, and there has never been a valid study that shows any ill effects for non-ionizing RF emissions in the ranges that people are subjected to. At levels 10,000 times the levels from a phone (and 100,000 times the levels from an Apple watch) it can cause heating of tissue (think microwave ovens). But whatever is causing the symptoms it is absolutely, positively not related to RF emissions. And "EMF" itself is a non-scientific term used only by people who have no idea of what it is or have agendas and nonsense conspiracy theories.

deggie

Level 10

167,943 points

May 1, 2018 12:55 PM in response to allisonfromvoluntown

If it is giving you inflammation you may have a nickel allergy that you were not aware of. In any event see your doctor. You can skip the test suggested, it is not electronics causing your problem.

May 16, 2018 7:18 AM in response to jenniferfromcopley

jenniferfromcopley wrote:

Yes my pain is now radiating into my hand especially thumb joints!

Make an appointment with your doctor.

Sep 19, 2018 4:52 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Well, I don't have carpel tunnel, and as soon as I moved my watch up a bit, all of the odd tingling and arm weakness was gone.

KDWinnie

Level 1

4 points

Oct 23, 2018 11:29 AM in response to KiltedTim

https://www.saferemr.com/2017/09/new-apple-watch-reignites-concerns-over.html?m= 1

deggie

Level 10

167,943 points

Oct 26, 2018 5:19 PM in response to kipper3d

You really need to set up a doctor's appointment and get that wrist looked at again. Soon.

KiltedTim

Level 10

235,952 points

Jan 7, 2019 6:01 PM in response to Azúcar440

We can't help you. Go see your doctor.

Jan 16, 2019 1:16 PM in response to CharlieFed

i just hope there is nothing sinister going on and it’s not cause any scary health problems or long term issues!!!

Go to your doctor and fine out what it is.

KiltedTim

Level 10

235,952 points

Mar 21, 2019 5:24 PM in response to Fehmel

Go see your doctor.

Feb 14, 2018 7:16 PM in response to Technobabe

I have this issue bad as well radiates up my arm and the side of my hand near my knuckles and pinky finger hurt but once I take it off a little while later suddenly everything is fine seems like Apple is dodging this issue for years judging by all the forums

Feb 14, 2018 7:41 PM in response to Technobabe

Also i told them to see every post about wrist pain in this community and they respond as long as your watch is working well, we can’t do anything. Just consult an MD. :( We are not alone in the same situation, they should investigate.

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Apple Watch causing wrist pain