I had the same thing happen physio made it worse, mine just needed time about and rest, I am just starting to get back into it all again now not happy with how weak I have become. The doc old me it would take 5 years to go away. I tried to lift again after 2 years but the problem was still there, (left leg would fail and I would fall over) not good for squats, having the bar on my shoulders was bad, as the weight would aggravate the discs. I am starting to get my strength back now, I am working up slowly. I had a second set of scans done after 6 years to see what had changed and the problem discs had shrunk apparently they look like sultanas. This is my experience I had a few other problems with my lower back at the same time, so I am hoping it goes better for you then it did for me. A bulged disc is still in the right place just that it is bulged out around the sides, so manipulation will not help much, just hurt like hell (this was my experience everybody is different). I will suggest that you be very critical of your posture and try to improve it where you can a little change makes a big difference. My problems were caused by work, my job involved heavy lifting while bending and twisting, if I had of been a bit smaller this would not of been the case. The doctors and work cover kept throwing me back in to normal work until they problem got real bad The next step a long is a ruptured disc, so take it easy and don't push to hard, the sooner you stop and rest the quicker it will heal.