Question 1

Is the NICE1 suitable for post-surgery recovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the NICE1 is ideal for post-surgical recovery. Cold and compression therapy is widely recognised as gold-standard care following surgery, helping to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. Many post-operative patients use the NICE1 alongside prescribed pain medication, particularly during the early stages of recovery when discomfort can be at its highest.

Question 2

Can I use the NICE1 before surgery to manage pain?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The NICE1 can be used before surgery to help manage pain, swelling and inflammation. Using cold and compression therapy while awaiting an operation can help keep symptoms under control and improve comfort in the lead-up to surgery.

Question 3

Is the NICE1 suitable for injury recovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the NICE1 is highly effective for injury management and recovery. Cold and compression therapy helps reduce swelling, ease pain, and support the body's natural healing process. It can be used for acute injuries, sports injuries, flare-ups of existing conditions, or general aches and strains.

Question 4

Can I control the cold and compression settings?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. The NICE1 features multiple adjustable cold and compression settings, allowing you to tailor each treatment to your comfort level. This flexibility means you can increase or reduce intensity as your recovery progresses, staying in control at all times.

Question 5

How often should I use cold and compression therapy?

Accepted Answer

We like to say: if it feels good, it's probably doing good. One of the benefits of at-home cold and compression therapy is that usage can be completely patient-led. The NICE1 can be used for longer sessions using preset programmes, which include built-in rest periods between cycles of cooling and compression. For shorter treatments, we recommend a minimum of 20 minutes to allow the cold to penetrate beyond the skin and into the muscle tissue.

Question 6

How long does it take to feel the benefits?

Accepted Answer

Many users notice relief from swelling and pain during or immediately after a session. For optimal recovery, consistent use over the recommended period helps reduce inflammation and support healing.

Question 7

I'm not sure how long I'll need the NICE1 for

Accepted Answer

That's no problem at all. Our minimum hire period is 28 days, which suits most post-surgical and injury recovery needs. If you require the unit for longer, additional weeks or fortnights can be added towards the end of your hire. For anyone expecting to need cold and compression therapy for longer than six weeks, our subscription option offers the best value.

Question 8

How does the NICE1 subscription work?

Accepted Answer

The NICE1 subscription is charged monthly via direct debit, starting from the first day of your hire. It has a minimum term of two months. Subscriptions can be managed easily using the link in your booking confirmation. Cancellations require at least five days' notice before the monthly renewal date.

Question 9

How does the NICE1 compare to cheaper alternatives?

Accepted Answer

The NICE1 is widely regarded as a gold-standard cold and compression therapy machine, trusted by doctors, surgeons and physiotherapists across hospitals, private clinics and elite sports environments. The NICE1 is the only cold and compression therapy unit available in the UK that does not require ice — each treatment uses just 300ml of water, with no top-ups needed during use. The NICE1 matches the technical specifications of other well-known systems such as Game Ready and Physio Lab, but in a simpler, more practical format designed for easy use at home.

Question 10

Can I use the NICE1 on different parts of my body?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can facilitate any injury, anywhere — from knees to shoulders and hips to toes. We also offer wraps for post caesarean section incision sites and boots and gloves for chemotherapy. If you have something you want to cool, we can help.

Question 11

Is it safe for all ages?

Accepted Answer

The NICE1 is suitable for most adults and adolescents under supervision. Children should only use it with adult guidance. If you have specific health conditions, consult your doctor before use.

Question 12

Is the NICE1 loud when you're using it?

Accepted Answer

No. The NICE1 is designed to be quiet, making it ideal for home use while relaxing, watching TV, or working.

Question 13

Do I need a prescription to hire the NICE1?

Accepted Answer

No prescription is required — anyone can hire the NICE1 directly. It's always a good idea to speak with your healthcare providers to see if they have any specific recommendations for icing and compression.

Question 14

Can I use the NICE1 with other treatments or medications?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cold and compression therapy is safe alongside pain relief medications or physiotherapy treatments. Many patients combine these methods to improve comfort and recovery outcomes. Always follow your doctor's advice.

Question 15

Can I take the NICE1 on holiday or travel with it?

Accepted Answer

Yes — just let us know beforehand. The NICE1 is compact and portable, so it can be taken on trips. We can supply an alternative power supply for international travel and a more convenient travel bag. You can travel with the NICE1 on flights as hand luggage or hold luggage.

Question 16

Is the NICE1 suitable for chronic conditions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In addition to post-surgery recovery and acute injuries, the NICE1 can help manage chronic joint or muscle pain, arthritis flare-ups, and ongoing inflammation. Always consult a healthcare professional for long-term management.

Question 17

What does electrical muscle stimulation actually feel like?

Accepted Answer

A tingle that builds into a firm, involuntary contraction — the muscle tightens and releases on its own, without you tensing it. Recovery programmes feel quite different: they produce a light twitching rather than a contraction, closer to a massage. Compex is clear that the intensity should always stay bearable, and you set it yourself: strong enough to feel the muscle working, never strong enough to hurt.

Question 18

There are 30 programmes — which one do I start with?

Accepted Answer

The SP 8.0 groups its programmes into Recovery, Pain, Strength and Fitness, and for most people the place to start is Recovery. Those programmes increase blood flow and have a relaxing, pain-relieving effect without loading the muscle. Strength programmes are a training stimulus and belong in a plan rather than in a first session. The unit guides electrode placement for each programme.

Question 19

How often should I use the Compex?

Accepted Answer

Compex suggests starting at around three sessions a week, in cycles of four to six weeks. Recovery and pain programmes can be used more often; strength programmes should not, because they load the muscle in the same way training does. Above roughly seven sessions a week, Compex advises grouping several on the same day to leave one or two complete rest days.

Question 20

Are electrode pads included, and how long do they last?

Accepted Answer

A full set of electrodes comes with the unit. They are a consumable — Compex advises replacing them after roughly 15 to 20 uses. Signs they are done: patchy adhesion, dry edges, or a prickly sensation at the pad surface rather than a smooth contraction. Storing them on their plastic sheet in the resealable bag, and applying them to clean dry skin, extends their life considerably.

Question 21

What does the mi-Sensor do?

Accepted Answer

The mi-Sensor measures the physiological characteristics of the muscle the electrodes are placed on, and the stimulator adjusts its output to match, rather than applying the same fixed waveform to everyone.

Question 22

Is there anyone who should not use a muscle stimulator?

Accepted Answer

Electrical muscle stimulation must not be used by anyone with a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator, or by anyone with epilepsy. Electrodes must never be placed on the head, throat or front of the neck, and should be kept away from the area over the heart. Stimulation must not be applied over the abdomen during pregnancy, over a hernia, or over a cancerous lesion. Anyone with a heart condition, a nerve condition or an implanted electronic device should speak to their doctor first.

Question 23

Can I hire a Compex before deciding whether to buy one?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the SP 8.0 is available to hire for 14 or 28 days, on a rolling monthly subscription, or to buy outright, the same as the NICE1. Hires can be extended or moved onto a subscription at any point.

Question 24

How long does a fill of ice and water last?

Accepted Answer

Around six to eight hours of cold before it needs topping up. Topping up means pouring off enough water to return to the original fill line and adding ice back to the ice line. Cubed ice gives the best performance; frozen water bottles produce less meltwater. This is the practical difference between the Wave and the NICE1: the NICE1 chills electrically and has no ice to manage, so it runs for as long as you want it to.

Question 25

Does the pad go straight against the skin?

Accepted Answer

No — Breg's instructions are to put a barrier between the pad and your skin, such as a dry dressing or a thin layer of clothing. The reason is the ice reservoir: the water is only ever as cold as the ice chilling it, so the pad has no temperature floor of its own. That is a design difference rather than a rule about cold therapy — the NICE1 holds its own temperature electrically and its wraps are worn against the skin. Some condensation on the tubing and pad is normal.

Question 26

How often should I check the skin underneath?

Accepted Answer

Breg asks for a check every one to two hours during treatment, or as often as your surgeon or physiotherapist advises. Look for unusual paleness, redness, blotchy or blue-tinged skin, numbness or any change in sensation, and stop if you see any of them. Take particular care with diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation in the treated area, because the usual warning signs are less reliable. The checks follow from the ice reservoir: how cold the pad runs depends on how much ice is in it, so the temperature is not held for you.

Question 27

Can I use it overnight?

Accepted Answer

The pump is quiet enough for it, but two things make overnight use on the Wave a decision for whoever is managing your recovery: the ice needs topping up every six to eight hours, and Breg's own skin checks are every one to two hours, which you cannot do asleep. If your surgeon or physiotherapist has cleared it, follow their guidance on settings and duration. If unattended overnight use is what you are after, the NICE1 is the machine built for it — no ice, its own temperature control, and preset programmes that cycle cooling and compression with rest periods built in.

Question 28

Does it need to stay plugged in?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Polar Care Wave runs from mains power rather than a battery, so it needs to be plugged in while running. It is portable between rooms but is not worn while walking around.

Question 29

How do I clean it?

Accepted Answer

Wipe the outside with mild soap and water on a soft cloth. To clean the inside, fill to the ice line with tap water, add half a teaspoon of household bleach, run the cold therapy for at least ten minutes, then drain and dry fully with the lid off.

Question 30

Which pad do I need, and can I add more later?

Accepted Answer

The unit is sold without a pad so you can choose the one matching the area you are treating — knee, shoulder, ankle, hip, back or a universal pad. They are one size fits all, so there is no measuring. Extra pads can be bought at any time, which lets you treat a different area without a second unit.

Question 31

What does the Omega+ pad actually do?

Accepted Answer

The Omega+ pad is a silicone insert shaped to surround the kneecap rather than cover it, so pressure lands on the soft tissue either side of the joint rather than on the patella. As the knee bends and straightens the pad moves against that tissue, producing a gentle massaging action.

Question 32

How do I choose between a Standard size and a Comfort size?

Accepted Answer

Take two measurements with the knee bent at about 30 degrees: the circumference 14 cm above the middle of the kneecap and 12 cm below it. If both land in the same row of the chart, take the Standard size. If the upper measurement sits a size higher than the lower one, take the Comfort size matching your lower measurement. Ten sizes are stocked across the two cuts.

Question 33

How long can I wear it, and can I sleep in it?

Accepted Answer

It is designed to be worn through the day, including while active, and works best when you are moving because the massaging effect depends on the knee bending. Bauerfeind does not recommend wearing it in bed.

Question 34

Can I wear it for sport?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The knitted body is breathable and anatomically shaped with an expansion zone behind the knee so it does not bunch when the joint flexes, and the current Train knit is around 20% lighter than the previous generation.

Question 35

How do I wash the GenuTrain?

Accepted Answer

Machine wash at 30°C on a gentle or delicate cycle with a normal detergent — no fabric softener or additives, which coat the fibres and cost the knit its elasticity. Dry flat rather than on a radiator or in a tumble dryer; washed this way it will not shrink. Every two or three wears is about right for ordinary use.

Question 36

What is it used for?

Accepted Answer

Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, knee pain and swelling, feelings of instability, irritation of the tendons and ligaments around the joint, meniscus problems, and the later stages of recovery after knee surgery. It is a support rather than a brace — it compresses and guides but does not immobilise the joint, and is not a substitute for a hinged brace where one has been prescribed.

Question 37

How long will it last?

Accepted Answer

Months to years with normal wear if washed properly — heat and fabric softener are what wear the knit out fastest. If the compression feels noticeably slacker than when new, replace it: a support that has lost its elasticity has lost its function.

Question 38

How does Incrediwear actually work?

Accepted Answer

Incrediwear isn't compression wear. The fabric is infused with semiconductor elements (Carbon and Germanium) that are activated by your body heat — once warm, they emit gentle far-infrared energy that penetrates the skin and stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage in the underlying tissue. The result is reduced swelling and inflammation, less stiffness, and faster recovery, all without needing a tight fit.

Question 39

Is Incrediwear compression wear?

Accepted Answer

No — this is a common misconception. Traditional compression wear works by squeezing the limb to physically push fluid out. Incrediwear works through fabric technology and infrared energy, so it doesn't need to be tight. The garment should feel light and comfortable, never restrictive — if anything, a slightly looser fit lets the fabric do its job better.

Question 40

How often and how long should I wear it?

Accepted Answer

As much as possible — that's the simple answer. Incrediwear is designed for all-day wear: during exercise, at work, around the house, and overnight. The more time you spend in it, the more your tissues get the circulation and recovery benefit. Many customers wear theirs 8 to 12+ hours a day during the active phase of recovery and continue with intermittent wear afterwards for maintenance.

Question 41

Can I sleep in it?

Accepted Answer

Yes — sleep is one of the best times to wear it. Your body is at rest, blood flow is steady, and the fabric works passively to support recovery while you sleep. The non-compressive design means no circulation worries that you'd have with tight braces overnight.

Question 42

Can I wear it during exercise?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely — Incrediwear is widely used by athletes during training, matches and sport. Because it doesn't rely on compression, it doesn't restrict movement or affect your range of motion. Many professional athletes use Incrediwear for warm-up, in-event support, and post-session recovery. Novak Djokovic wears the knee sleeve in matches.

Question 43

How do I wash it?

Accepted Answer

Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle (or hand wash) with mild detergent. No bleach, no fabric softener — both will degrade the semiconductor fabric and reduce its effectiveness. Lay flat to dry or hang dry; do not tumble dry or iron. Treated correctly, an Incrediwear garment will keep working through hundreds of wash cycles.

Question 44

How long do they last?

Accepted Answer

With normal daily wear and the recommended care (cold wash, no softener, air dry), an Incrediwear garment typically holds its therapeutic effectiveness for around 12 months of regular use, and stays wearable beyond that for casual support. The fabric technology doesn't deplete in a sudden way — it gradually loses some efficiency with wear, similar to how athletic shoes lose their cushioning over time.

Question 45

Will it shrink in the wash?

Accepted Answer

Not if you follow the care instructions — cold wash and air dry. Hot water or tumble drying will shrink the fabric and damage the semiconductor coating. Treat it like any technical fabric and it'll keep its shape for the life of the garment.

Question 46

What size should I get?

Accepted Answer

Each Incrediwear product has its own sizing chart based on the relevant body measurement (knee circumference, ankle circumference, hip-to-floor, etc.). You'll find the full sizing reference and a tip on between-sizes choice on the Incrediwear sizing guide. As a general rule: if you're between sizes, choose the larger one — a slightly looser fit avoids unwanted compression and lets the fabric work as designed.

Question 47

Can I use Incrediwear alongside the NICE1?

Accepted Answer

Yes — they're designed to complement each other. NICE1 cold + compression sessions are most effective in the acute phase (the first hours and days after surgery or injury), when reducing swelling fast matters most. Incrediwear takes over for the weeks and months that follow: continuous daily-wear support for circulation as you return to movement and training. Many of our customers use both together for the same body part during their recovery.

Question 48

Is Incrediwear evidence-based?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it's backed by independent clinical research. Peer-reviewed studies have measured improvements in blood flow, oxygen saturation, range of motion and recovery markers in athletes and recovery patients wearing Incrediwear products versus controls.

Frequently asked
questions. — NICE1, COMPEX, Breg Polar Care Wave, Bauerfeind GenuTrain and Incrediwear

NICE1 — Cold & Compression Therapy

COMPEX SP 8.0 — Muscle Stimulation

Breg Polar Care Wave — Cold & Compression

Bauerfeind GenuTrain — Knee Support

Incrediwear — Infrared Recovery Wear

Frequently asked questions. — NICE1, COMPEX, Breg Polar Care Wave, Bauerfeind GenuTrain and Incrediwear