Acupuncture of Palo Alto

About Acupuncture of Palo Alto

Acupuncture of Palo Alto is a one-practitioner clinic on Everett Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. Its licensed acupuncturist is Yaping Chen, L.Ac. The practice describes its work as traditional Chinese acupuncture. The website is small and personal. Much of it is written in Chen's own voice and it lists no other locations.

The office sits near the corner of Cowper Street and Everett Avenue, a few blocks north of University Avenue. That puts it on the quieter residential edge of downtown, within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the Palo Alto Caltrain station. Our downtown Palo Alto guide covers the surrounding blocks.

Services the practice lists

The services page groups the clinic's work under the umbrella of traditional Chinese medicine. The practice lists these treatments:

• Acupuncture
• Herbal medicine
• CranioSacral therapy
• Tuina massage
• Acupressure
• Cupping
• Moxibustion
• Ear seeds

The homepage also mentions guidance on diet, nutrition and aging. The practice names the concerns it works with most often: sports injuries, chronic pain, stress and mood swings, insomnia and fatigue, depression and anxiety, weight management and menopausal symptoms. That list comes from the practice itself. PaloAlto.org does not evaluate treatments or outcomes. This page is not medical advice. If you are managing a health condition, talk with your physician about whether acupuncture fits into your care.

What a visit involves

According to the services page, most treatment sessions last between one and one and a half hours, depending on what each patient needs that day. New patients should plan for a first visit of a little more than an hour, since it includes an initial assessment as well as treatment.

Chen writes on the site that she often combines several traditional Chinese medicine techniques in one session rather than relying on a single method. She also says she spends time talking with patients about stress and daily habits. Expect a conversation as part of the appointment, not just time on the table.

Booking, hours and insurance

Appointments are made by phone or text. The contact page lists the same number for both, plus an email address and a short request form. There is no online booking calendar on the site, so plan to reach out directly and agree on a time.

Hours are set by appointment rather than posted as fixed times. The contact page says the clinic is closed on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On other days the schedule is flexible. The practice states a preference for appointments between 1 and 9 p.m. on both weekdays and weekends. Evening slots can make it easier to fit a visit in after work.

On insurance, the practice says it accepts insurance but is out of network. It names United Health Care, Anthem and Cigna as preferred carriers. The services page also lists self-pay rates for patients who pay without insurance. Rates can change, so ask when you book. Before your first visit, check with your insurer about out of network acupuncture benefits and whether you will need to submit a claim yourself.

Who it suits

This is a small, appointment-only practice with one clinician. That suits people who want to see the same acupuncturist each time and who are comfortable arranging visits by phone or text. The flexible afternoon and evening scheduling may help anyone who works standard office hours downtown or at Stanford.

It is less suited to anyone who wants to book instantly online or who needs in-network billing. People looking for a larger integrative medicine center might also compare options at Stanford. Our Stanford Hospital visitor guide explains how the medical campus is laid out.

Tips for your visit

• Text or call ahead rather than walking in. The practice works by appointment only.
• Remember that Wednesday and Saturday are closed days.
• Allow extra time for parking in the downtown residential blocks, where time limits and permit zones apply. Read posted signs carefully.
• The Palo Alto Caltrain station is within walking distance. Our getting around Palo Alto page covers buses, bikes and parking.
• Bring your insurance card and any paperwork your insurer needs for out of network claims.

Location and getting there

Acupuncture of Palo Alto is at 472 Everett Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.

The nearest train stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.5 miles away. That is roughly a 12 minute walk.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

What is nearby

• Mademoiselle Colette, bakery or dessert shop, under 0.1 mi
• Capital Tax, firm, 0.1 mi
• Bank of America Lytton Avenue, service business, 0.1 mi
• Like! Hair Salon, salon or spa, 0.1 mi
• Rooh, restaurant, 0.1 mi
• Johnson Park, under 0.1 mi
• Cogswell Plaza, 0.2 mi
• Hopkins Creekside Park, 0.3 mi

Other health and medical nearby: Peninsula Optical (0.2 mi); Site for Sore Eyes (0.2 mi); Palo Alto Eyes Optometry (0.2 mi); CVS Pharmacy University Avenue (0.2 mi). Browse the full health and medical list.

Before you go

• Call ahead to confirm the practice accepts your insurance and is taking new patients.
• Bring a photo ID, your insurance card and a list of current medications to a first visit.
• For emergencies call 911. Stanford Hospital's emergency department is the closest major emergency room for most of Palo Alto.

About this listing

Checked October 29, 2026 against Acupuncture of Palo Alto official website; Services page; Contact page. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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