I am feeling super positive after seeing the physio tonight!
First of all, he told me that if it wasnt for all the deadlifts and squats, my back would actually be in waaay worse shape than it is. My discs (L2-L5) have prolapsed to the right, mostly over time from working as a plumber. The top one has really popped out and physio was amazed it wasnt herniated but, apparently the anulus fibrosis (the tissue that contains the jelly in the disc) is super thick and refused to tear. If it had torn with a prolapse that severe I would probably need surgery! So the part of me that was wondering if I had done this to myself by going hard at the gym is super relieved! Also, not only will I be able to once again partake in heavy deadlifts & squats, they will actually be part of my recovery program (obviously not super heavy for a while though). The goal is to get back to pre-injury numbers.
Secondly, there is no evidence of a striated tear in the psoas, rather it appears to be a classic strain so there is no reason it won't heal 100% over time. I must become a master of pilates!
So in the short term, pain relief, massage & some foam rolling and leg raise exercises are pretty much my recovery protocol. Over time, my body will actually push the prolapsed disc back into my spine, and naturally inhibit movements that cause any further stress on the vertebrae (even with all the pain meds I still cannot bend over or reach up with my left hand without shooting stabbing pain).
Medium term (4 weeks) goal is to regain full movement and mobility, and begin squatting and deadlifting again with light weight. One of the rehab exercises involves light straight legged pulls with fully arched back into fully extended lockout! Sound nuts but apparently this is the latest in recovery movements for disc rehab!
Long term goal (6-9months) 220kg back squat, 275kg deadlift.