Apple Watch causing slight pain in arm!

[Cyberpower678]

What I would suggest you try is to try and stick your pinky through the watch while wearing it and if it isn't going through, loosen until it can.

If the answer to above was yes or has been addressed and the problem still persists, take it off for a week and give it to a friend to try out. Check your results and do one of the following:

a: If your arm continues to tingle, consult a doctor as you may have a blood clot, which can ultimately leave to an infarction. Please note the keyword "may", so please don't panic about it.

b: If your arm stops tingling but the friends arm doesn't tingle either, it could be psychosomatic, or an allergy to aluminum/zirconia/plastic, or stainless steel/ceramc, or to the band you're wearing. Try securing the watch with something else and see if that solves your problem. If it does, get a different band not consisting of material in your current band.

c: If your friends arm started tingling, watch's power source may not be wired properly, resulting in a leak to the watch's housing and then into the skin. However, the current in the battery is too small to cause such a sensation. Regardless, contact Apple.

If none of the above works, try not lifting your arm so much. Consistently lifting your arm shifts blood flow from it, which can cause muscle fatigue and put the arm asleep, causing your tingling sensation.

 

[supertomtom]

Maybe you should consider getting medically checked out if it persists. Could be completely unrelated to the watch...

 

[diablo2112]

OP didn't say, do you regularly wear a watch? I can't imagine what would be defective, however. The HR hardware isn't going to cause problems, it's a couple of LEDs and photocells.

Perhaps the slight bulge on the back is causing a problem, hitting a nerve or bone. That could very-well be true, but its not a defect. Just means your physiology isn't compatible with the watch geometry. Unfortunate, but not a defect. Good luck tracking this down. Might try a different kind of band.

 

[Lucifer666]

Ok, I went and read the links the OP gave. It seems to me, that some people are 'inclined' to believe in an EM link.

There are a few who are convinced that this is possible. Now, if I had these symptoms and was inclined to believe that EM could be a danger, I would pretty much be sure it was psychosomatic. it's when they are sure it isn't that's so telling

In other words, go read those threads if your worried.

 

[rsbell]

Um... no. The HR sensor is optical. Unless you're a vampire who tends to burst into flame in sunlight, that's not it.

It's either an allergic reaction, being worn too tight, or most likely, completely psychosomatic.

Actually, it's a 2 part HR sensor-infrared is the default methodology, but when the watch doesn't have good skin contact, it falls back to the green LEDs.

My wife experienced this same thing the first time she put her AW on: she said it felt hot, then a little tingly. She got used to it. I watched her put it on the first time, and it kind of freaked her out. I told her there was no way, but she insisted she could feel it. She wears watches otherwise, it wasn't too tight, and I hadn't said anything to her about the HR monitor before she put it on.

 

[sjinsjca]

I suspect you and others experiencing something of the sort have an incipient, subclinical carpal tunnel issue. The slight compression from the watchband might be exacerbating this.

Try wearing a different watch for a while, and see if the issue is the Watch specifically or watches in general.

 

[betabeta]

I had a strange feeling I wouldn't call a pain but it was under the watch and a little up the arm, and top of hand. I totally attributed it to the first few days of my exaggerated twisting motion of the wrist over and over

It's mostly gone and I'm not concerned about it, worse case scenario I absorb energy from the watch and become a superhero

 

[zacheryjensen]

I think OP died of a heart attack since their last post...

More seriously, the most realistic explanations are likely the new motion, or heat from the watch's CPU/battery activity. Even as a lifelong watch wearer, I definitely am twisting/moving my arm more and for longer durations. I try to stop myself from doing it. And awareness of this is heavily influencing my opinion of app designs (and exacerbating the frustration of apps randomly just doing nothing at all, can't wait for that aspect of things to get shored up) but, just the twist and hold that the watch promotes more strongly than a conventional watch is probably enough to cause some discomfort.

As for heat, it could be a battery thing. Oh and it could be a totally psychosomatic reaction to the thought of electronics pinned to your body, like the nutjobs who think they are allergic to wifi (proven 100% wholly false by double blind tests.)

Then there is the place it is worn. I've seen so many photos of watches worn in terrible places, like, right on top of the part of the wrist that bends. Maybe move it to a different spot, preferably up the arm, AWAY from the hand. Watches pushed down against the hand are in the wrong place. I know, you want people to see it, but, not being able to bend your hand back without jamming the crown is not worth the vanity.

This photo should give an idea of the "normal" place to wear a watch when ignoring fashion photography and odd, uncomfortable trends:

OH, one more thing I forgot to suggest: it could be a damaged rotator cuff. I think it would be kind of nuts if you're managing this injury from the watch, BUT, consider that shoulders are the #1 easiest joint to damage and it becomes more plausible. Anyway, it's common to have some tingling/numbness associated with damage in this area of the body. Something like that is unlikely but plausible.

 

[i-aamir]

What I would suggest you try is to try and stick your pinky through the watch while wearing it and if it isn't going through, loosen until it can.

If the answer to above was yes or has been addressed and the problem still persists, take it off for a week and give it to a friend to try out. Check your results and do one of the following:

a: If your arm continues to tingle, consult a doctor as you may have a blood clot, which can ultimately leave to an infarction. Please note the keyword "may", so please don't panic about it.

b: If your arm stops tingling but the friends arm doesn't tingle either, it could be psychosomatic, or an allergy to aluminum/zirconia/plastic, or stainless steel/ceramc, or to the band you're wearing. Try securing the watch with something else and see if that solves your problem. If it does, get a different band not consisting of material in your current band.

c: If your friends arm started tingling, watch's power source may not be wired properly, resulting in a leak to the watch's housing and then into the skin. However, the current in the battery is too small to cause such a sensation. Regardless, contact Apple.

If none of the above works, try not lifting your arm so much. Consistently lifting your arm shifts blood flow from it, which can cause muscle fatigue and put the arm asleep, causing your tingling sensation.

OP didn't say, do you regularly wear a watch? I can't imagine what would be defective, however. The HR hardware isn't going to cause problems, it's a couple of LEDs and photocells.

Perhaps the slight bulge on the back is causing a problem, hitting a nerve or bone. That could very-well be true, but its not a defect. Just means your physiology isn't compatible with the watch geometry. Unfortunate, but not a defect. Good luck tracking this down. Might try a different kind of band.

I suspect you and others experiencing something of the sort have an incipient, subclinical carpal tunnel issue. The slight compression from the watchband might be exacerbating this.

Try wearing a different watch for a while, and see if the issue is the Watch specifically or watches in general.

I had a strange feeling I wouldn't call a pain but it was under the watch and a little up the arm, and top of hand. I totally attributed it to the first few days of my exaggerated twisting motion of the wrist over and over

It's mostly gone and I'm not concerned about it, worse case scenario I absorb energy from the watch and become a superhero

I think OP died of a heart attack since their last post...

More seriously, the most realistic explanations are likely the new motion, or heat from the watch's CPU/battery activity. Even as a lifelong watch wearer, I definitely am twisting/moving my arm more and for longer durations. I try to stop myself from doing it. And awareness of this is heavily influencing my opinion of app designs (and exacerbating the frustration of apps randomly just doing nothing at all, can't wait for that aspect of things to get shored up) but, just the twist and hold that the watch promotes more strongly than a conventional watch is probably enough to cause some discomfort.

As for heat, it could be a battery thing. Oh and it could be a totally psychosomatic reaction to the thought of electronics pinned to your body, like the nutjobs who think they are allergic to wifi (proven 100% wholly false by double blind tests.)

Then there is the place it is worn. I've seen so many photos of watches worn in terrible places, like, right on top of the part of the wrist that bends. Maybe move it to a different spot, preferably up the arm, AWAY from the hand. Watches pushed down against the hand are in the wrong place. I know, you want people to see it, but, not being able to bend your hand back without jamming the crown is not worth the vanity.

This photo should give an idea of the "normal" place to wear a watch when ignoring fashion photography and odd, uncomfortable trends:

Image

OH, one more thing I forgot to suggest: it could be a damaged rotator cuff. I think it would be kind of nuts if you're managing this injury from the watch, BUT, consider that shoulders are the #1 easiest joint to damage and it becomes more plausible. Anyway, it's common to have some tingling/numbness associated with damage in this area of the body. Something like that is unlikely but plausible.

I can confirm that I'm still here alive and kicking! Firstly just wanted to say a big thank you for all your posts and responses to my somewhat abnormal queries! This forum is an excellent platform to share views / advice on a number issues!

In regards to my issue I just wanted to clarify a few points :

1. I have been a watch wearer all my life and never encountered these sensations in my wrist / arm

2. I tend to wear my apple watch between 7am and 7pm so usually no more than 12 hours.

3. The uncomfortable sensation, dull pain in my wrist up to my elbow area is quite consistent while having the watch on. There is however no heat, skin irritations or rashes which is a good thing!

My test today is to wear the watch on my right arm (which I did this morning) which will hopefully show me if it's a hardware issue with the device or something else.

Only thing is that I have never worn a watch on my right arm so it may highlight other factors that aren't reflective of the issues I've been facing over the last 10 days!

 

[Cyberpower678]

I can confirm that I'm still here alive and kicking! Firstly just wanted to say a big thank you for all your posts and responses to my somewhat abnormal queries! This forum is an excellent platform to share views / advice on a number issues!

In regards to my issue I just wanted to clarify a few points :

1. I have been a watch wearer all my life and never encountered these sensations in my wrist / arm

2. I tend to wear my apple watch between 7am and 7pm so usually no more than 12 hours.

3. The uncomfortable sensation, dull pain in my wrist up to my elbow area is quite consistent while having the watch on. There is however no heat, skin irritations or rashes which is a good thing!

My test today is to wear the watch on my right arm (which I did this morning) which will hopefully show me if it's a hardware issue with the device or something else.

Only thing is that I have never worn a watch on my right arm so it may highlight other factors that aren't reflective of the issues I've been facing over the last 10 days!

A true test would be to put it on somebody else's arm to avoid any placebo effects.

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Is the dull pain more like a tingling and numbness? If so you are experiencing symptoms of nerve damage. A damaged nerve anywhere in the hand, wrist, elbow, or forearm, can cause those sensations in all four locations. Since it's triggered by wearing the watch, it's reasonable to assume that the trigger is in your wrist, possibly caused by the haptic feedback causing the nerve to fire. Have you experienced any kind of trauma to your arm recently, such as a wound, bruise, or something more severe, like a chainsaw accident (hopefully not that bad).

 

[i-aamir]

A true test would be to put it on somebody else's arm to avoid any placebo effects.

----------

Is the dull pain more like a tingling and numbness? If so you are experiencing symptoms of nerve damage. A damaged nerve anywhere in the hand, wrist, elbow, or forearm, can cause those sensations in all four locations. Since it's triggered by wearing the watch, it's reasonable to assume that the trigger is in your wrist, possibly caused by the haptic feedback causing the nerve to fire. Have you experienced any kind of trauma to your arm recently, such as a wound, bruise, or something more severe, like a chainsaw accident (hopefully not that bad).

I'll probably try that next and give it to someone else to wear for the day(although can I trust them not to scratch!)

I haven't had any trauma to my arms and no known nerve damage. To be honest never really had any issues like this before especially not in the 10 years of wearing a watch hence why I think its quite an abnormal situation. The dull pain is more of consistent ache that is present from my wrist area all the way through my arm to the elbow.

Its an interesting point you raise about the haptic feedback. I mean I don't even get tones of notifications all day. In the 12 hour period of it being worn probably around 15 or so and I wouldn't have thought such a light vibration would cause three elements of my arm to be in state of pain which isn't extreme by any means but is enough to make me notice.

 

[Cyberpower678]

I'll probably try that next and give it to someone else to wear for the day(although can I trust them not to scratch!)

I haven't had any trauma to my arms and no known nerve damage. To be honest never really had any issues like this before especially not in the 10 years of wearing a watch hence why I think its quite an abnormal situation. The dull pain is more of consistent ache that is present from my wrist area all the way through my arm to the elbow.

Its an interesting point you raise about the haptic feedback. I mean I don't even get tones of notifications all day. In the 12 hour period of it being worn probably around 15 or so and I wouldn't have thought such a light vibration would cause three elements of my arm to be in state of pain which isn't extreme by any means but is enough to make me notice.

In the case of nerve damage, as much as a touch could cause a damaged weird signals to the brain and the brain interprets it as an unusual sensation throughout parts of the body. Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, for example, requires only minor pressure on the Carpel Tunnel area to trigger these sensations.

 

[Ingster]

I suspect you and others experiencing something of the sort have an incipient, subclinical carpal tunnel issue. The slight compression from the watchband might be exacerbating this.

Try wearing a different watch for a while, and see if the issue is the Watch specifically or watches in general.

THIS!!! carpal tunnel is what you are describing, you probably have had it but it was quite mild it was as above poster mentioned sub-clinical now you have something wrapped failry tight around the wrist it is putting greater pressure on the nerve in the wrist causing the symptoms, I have carpal tunnel and funnily enough I diagnose them for a living and if my watch is on too tight my symptoms are worse, try one notch less it may resolve itself, also to double check it isn't the apple watch try a normal watch at the same tightness and see if the symptoms come on

----------

Plus carpal tunnel syndrome is a design flaw all humans have, no trauma is required for it to come on, what is odd is why more people don't get it

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

I'll probably try that next and give it to someone else to wear for the day(although can I trust them not to scratch!)

I haven't had any trauma to my arms and no known nerve damage. To be honest never really had any issues like this before especially not in the 10 years of wearing a watch hence why I think its quite an abnormal situation. The dull pain is more of consistent ache that is present from my wrist area all the way through my arm to the elbow.

Its an interesting point you raise about the haptic feedback. I mean I don't even get tones of notifications all day. In the 12 hour period of it being worn probably around 15 or so and I wouldn't have thought such a light vibration would cause three elements of my arm to be in state of pain which isn't extreme by any means but is enough to make me notice.

When I first got the watch i was having pain in my wrist and arm, and found out it was because i was wearing my watch too low. Do you have your watch behind the 'wrist knuckle' (the ball on the outside of your wrist joint)? If it's on top of the joint, or in front of it, it'll inhibit motion of your hand. Once i moved my watch up my arm another half inch, the ache and tingling went away.

 

[BillyTrimble]

A true test would be to put it on somebody else's arm to avoid any placebo effects.

----------

something more severe, like a chainsaw accident (hopefully not that bad).

A chainsaw accident will most definitely cause a lack of sensation in that part of the body that has been sawed off.

 

[Cyberpower678]

A chainsaw accident will most definitely cause a lack of sensation in that part of the body that has been sawed off.

Indeed.

 

[Lucifer666]

psychosomatic

Or something unrelated perhaps?

Just doesn't sound right.

Wears it loose. Used to watches.

Material irritation is possible. God only knows WTF they put in this crap.

 

[i-aamir]

THIS!!! carpal tunnel is what you are describing, you probably have had it but it was quite mild it was as above poster mentioned sub-clinical now you have something wrapped failry tight around the wrist it is putting greater pressure on the nerve in the wrist causing the symptoms, I have carpal tunnel and funnily enough I diagnose them for a living and if my watch is on too tight my symptoms are worse, try one notch less it may resolve itself, also to double check it isn't the apple watch try a normal watch at the same tightness and see if the symptoms come on

----------

Plus carpal tunnel syndrome is a design flaw all humans have, no trauma is required for it to come on, what is odd is why more people don't get it

When I first got the watch i was having pain in my wrist and arm, and found out it was because i was wearing my watch too low. Do you have your watch behind the 'wrist knuckle' (the ball on the outside of your wrist joint)? If it's on top of the joint, or in front of it, it'll inhibit motion of your hand. Once i moved my watch up my arm another half inch, the ache and tingling went away.

psychosomatic

Or something unrelated perhaps?

Just doesn't sound right.

Wears it loose. Used to watches.

Material irritation is possible. God only knows WTF they put in this crap.

Again thanks for all your responses including some of the more comical ones! I am honestly not trying to waste anyone’s time or open threads for the sake of it!

I have today worn my watch on my right arm ( around 10 hours in counting and relatively loose) and have noticed some light wrist pain only! This has also been at more of a reduced level than my left arm and hasn’t travelled through the forearm to elbow.

I’m hoping that the light wrist pain is due to this arm not being used to wearing a watch!

I think this demonstrates that the watch is unlikely to be defective but maybe the positioning needs to be re-evaluated for my left arm. I will have to go back to the my usual arm and see if keeping it extra loose and possibly moving behind the wrist bone works. If not and pain persists I will have to sell it as I am out of my return period ( was one of the lucky ones to receive on launch).

 

[menace3]

Its the tightness of the watch. It can fit perfectly at the start of the day. However with movement, twists and normal swelling; it can get tight. I loosened mined to the next notch and the tingling went away almost immediately.

 

[squirrrl]

If people are worried about the IR as a cause, why don't you just put an opaque tape over the sensor for a week to see if it goes away. You could at least rule this out as a possibility.

 

[J.gerbes]

As others have said, loosen the strap a bit.

 

[JnDRader]

If you try switching arms and it doesn't happen with the other arm, please see a doctor. Tingling and numbness in the arm could be something more serious, not related to the watch.

Yes, like a compressed disc in your neck.

2 cervical fusions later, ask me how I know lol!

 

[acctman]

I thought I was going mad until I saw a similar post on the apple forums:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7026458

Please see the post from Mstattedcanvas on page 1.

I've had my 42mm SS ML since launch but whenever I wear it I get a dull pain in my arm, slight tingling and a bit of numbness! Don't understand it and thought I was going crazy but no someone else has posted a similar thing.

Has anyone experienced this with any of there AW's?

Another post : https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7029361

you should be able to fit two fingers between your strap and wrist. Also go to the Watch app then Workout app, turn on Power Saving Mode... it will limit the amount of times the heart rate monitor checks.

I spoke with Apple senior level regarding a skin irritation that I was having. As shown on the photo the rise in skin match perfectly with my heart rate sensor and would only appear after long workouts. It would go away after about 30mins. The documented it and are having me do some pre and post workout test to get more data for my case and for collects.

For me it doesn't hurt and it just looks like the consistent light hitting the skin is having a reaction. But also speaking on your issue with pain, I had a slight kink/pain the first few days. I no longer have it, I would assume it was my skin/nerves reacting to the sensor light. I no longer have that pain... hopefully some stuff I said may help... the photo below is what I sent to Apple, that was after a workout.

 

[i-aamir]

Right guys. Back on the left arm today and Pains are generally back in wrist, forearm and elbow. Not sure what to do as the watch is not even tight as I can get two fingers through. On the right arm it was better but still did cause slight wrist pain. It almost seems that this combo of SS and ML isn't for me or there is something wrong! Quite confused now as I'm out of my return period also and as much as I love the watch and don't want to get rid of it can't let it be a cause of discomfort!

Haven't spoken to apple yet but wonder what they would realistically do?!

 

[bunnicula]

Right guys. Back on the left arm today and Pains are generally back in wrist, forearm and elbow. Not sure what to do as the watch is not even tight as I can get two fingers through. On the right arm it was better but still did cause slight wrist pain. It almost seems that this combo of SS and ML isn't for me or there is something wrong! Quite confused now as I'm out of my return period also and as much as I love the watch and don't want to get rid of it can't let it be a cause of discomfort!

Haven't spoken to apple yet but wonder what they would realistically do?!

Do a band swap for a sport band.