The paper reports 1 case of urinary retention after rectal cancer surgery, treated with heat-sensitive moxibustion. Based on the academic thought, "the essence of moxibustion lies in its efficacy upon qi arrival", by the principle of "delivering moxibustion and selecting the optimal sites after identifying sensitive points", the sensitized acupoints and regions (Guanyuan [CV4], Zhongji [CV3] and the sites along the governor vessel and the foot-taiyang bladder meridian distributed in the lumbosacral region) were selected. The moxibustion was operated twice daily during the first 8 days, and once daily thereafter. The specific moxibustion duration was determined until the moxibustion sensation disappears and moxibustion was saturated. The automatic urine volume was 850 mL on the first day after treatment, and the normal voiding was recovered, with 30 mL of post-void residual urine volume and without dysuria, painful urination, incomplete voiding, or urinary hesitancy occurred 17 days after treatment. In 3-month follow-up after treatment, the post-void residual urine volume was 23 mL, the 24-hour fluid intake and output were normal and there was no discomfort during urination.