Masks have already been in use for patients and practitioners in clinics the past couple of weeks. The key difference now is practitioners and reception staff must wear surgical masks, not cloth masks, but cloth is still fine for patients.

Practitioners who work face-to-face will also be required to wear protective glasses or face shields as of this week.

PostureWorks business manager Deb Watson said clinics had been operating under restrictive conditions for months an not a lot had changed since initial lockdowns.

PostureWorks kept its central and Delacombe clinics open throughout the first stage three lockdowns and Ms Watson said every thing was in place to stay safe and meet health department requirements.

"We jumped straight away last time and pulled out furniture, magazines and touch points, implementing stricter hygiene and cleaning," Ms Watson said.

"We've managed appointments for a variety of more vulnerable and immunocompromised - we can give care to them in earlier and later appointments - and families waiting can be shown through to a room where we can juggle their appointments.

"We're quite practised at it now."

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Ms Watson said patient numbers at PostureWorks' new Delacombe clinic, which opened in September, were steadily growing in a likely sign of confidence in precautions.

Ballarat Myotherapy Clinic myotherapist Melissa Schoer said some patients were still getting used to wearing masks during treatments, especially when lying face down, but most people were fine in trying to adapt.

Similarly, the clinic aims to manage appointment times for vulnerable patients and is used to the extra cleaning time between consultations.

Ms Schoer said the clinic's myotherapists and exercise physiologist also have a stronger grasp on telehealth technology to best help patients who were unable or uncertain about venturing into a clinic setting.

"There is so much we can do now over the phone for treatments and diagnosis," Ms Schoer said.

"I enjoy doing consults through the camera and seeing how much difference it can make. It allows people to take control of their pain more, instead of relying on needles, pain medications and massage."

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