strained lower abdominal muscles - rehab question

I was doing the wicked precor v-crunch machine exercise and on my first rep all the sudden I felt a muscle in my lower abdominal region - well, the only way I can explain it is to say it went "ping!".  Kinda like a guitar string stretched too tight will snap.  I don't know if anything actually ruptured, it was fairly painful when it happened but, other than a mild ache now and then (unless I try to do something that REALLY uses my abdominal muscles - like lifting my legs from the hip) it's not really bothering me.  I don't think it's a hernia because I don't feel anything different at the site than I do on the other side of it.  It just feels like when my back has gone out (hasn't happened in a few years), I can feel the muscle slip out, that's what it was like, lower abdominal right side.

Anywho, I was hoping to get some advice on how soon I could begin to do some rehab exercises - I figure I'm going to at least need to lay off the v-crunch machine for a couple of weeks, I'm hoping that I'll be able to do some ab exercises soon but I'm not asking about that right now, just "rehab" exercises to rehab that muscle.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for rehab exercises and, I really fear for myself with the v-crunch machine - it truly is a wicked device, so, I'm afraid that if my trainer tries to get me on it I'll be too afraid to do it.  Does anyone have any advice on some really good lower abdominal exercises?  I'm getting married in September... I want to look as good as possible.  It's not a quick fix, I've been fairly active since I lost nearly 100 lbs about 3 years ago, I've just been "stepping it up" over the last week since I have this extra 10 lbs to lose and the Curves workout I was doing previously was not doing me a lot of good.

Thanks in advance

Ab pulls are not fun. Sounds like what you have. It takes time to get them back on track. Let it heal for 3 weeks. Stretching by arching on a medicine ball will help,but go slow or it will kick your butt. Once the 3 weeks has passed go back to doing sit ups with body weight only on the floor. Have a friend hold your feet down. Don't go back to crunch machines until you can rapidly crank out 50 sit ups with ease off the floor. cheers M

Thanks for the reassurance that what it sounds like I have is not too serious and just requires taking it a little easier on myself.  Do you have any advice on where I can find the best online tutorial for correct crunches (that will train me efficiently while not putting me at risk for an injury)?  Thanks again!