In this case study, we analyzed the wound-healing process of a patient with a chronic wound who underwent fire needle treatment, and we tracked the coverage of granulation tissue and decrease of slough and exudate. An 85-year-old man had repeated right shoulder and back pain, itching, and skin festering for more than 1.5 years. A fire needle was administered combined with moist dressing once every 5 days to promote wound healing. After six rounds of fire needle treatment, granulation tissue formed over the surface of the wound base, the depth of the wound had become shallow, and the wound area was reduced. No complications occurred during the intervention. Fire needle therapy combined with a moist wound-healing dressing can be an effective alternative approach in managing chronic wounds. © 2020 The authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Chinese Nursing Association.