There is no known way to prevent costochondritis, except avoiding or resolving the potential causes when possible, such as trauma or scoliosis. Avoiding severe cough and back problems can also prevent this problem.  Costochondritis typically disappears on its own, although there are rare occasions where it becomes chronic. There is no specific therapy that targets costochondritis itself. Rather, its symptoms are treated.

The first line of treatment is rest. It is important that costochondritis patients avoid any strenuous activity that may increase their pain. Activities and even deep breathing may increase the pain. Typically, the degree of rest needed relies upon the severity of the pain. Mild pain may simply require a reduction in physical activities whereas severe pain may require bed rest.

Thermotherapy may reduce pain and, in the rare cases of Tietze syndrome, decrease swelling. Heat may be applied locally for a short duration of time at regular intervals or when the pain worsens.

Medications may also help to ease the pain. In most cases, analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are sufficient for pain reduction.  If the pain is severe, however, local anesthetics or corticosteroids, either alone or combined, may be injected into or around the pain site.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may also be helpful in the treatment of costochondritis. This form of electrical therapy uses small electrical impulses to inhibit pain signals. With costochondritis, TENS may be more helpful when the electrical signal is used in a crossed fashion over the area of pain. Another potential therapy is electroacupuncture, a form of acupuncture that incorporates small electrical currents.

In the rare cases when costochondritis is chronic, periodic nerve blocks may be used to block the reception of pain, and epidural corticosteroid injections may be employed to ease the pain.