I’ve been playing guitar for years…before and after I started having costochondritis. A few tips for those strummers that are suffering:

1) Don’t just sit. Get a strap and stand from time to time.

2) Shift you guitar position. Push the guitar downwards in the direction of the sound hole so you’re playing higher on the neck. Or, raise the neck so the guitar is more at an angle upwards instead of horizontal.

3) Play lying down (one of my fav exercises to teach students).

4) Instead of looking at the neck while you play, face forwards or even slightly upwards. You may feel your shoulders and back get tired which (surprise, surprise) is a sign that you need to strengthen your shoulders and back muscles (this just might aid the costochondritis).

5) Have the neck face out and forward as opposed to just facing to your side.

Basically….move your guitar around and stay mobile. If you feel pain, reposition.

Here’s a few different ideas for your entertainment. I was a sag player myself. Not so much anymore. Enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6hZ90IF0ps

Bolaji