Weight Belts? Lower back strain.

[mhunter]

Okay, so I've kind of strained my lower back doing the deadlifts. I feel like I've been maintaining good form but... I had been having some mild post-workout spasms and basically ignored them, so....there it is.
I think Lou (and some other people I've read recently advocated the benefits of lifting w/o a belt, which is what I was doing. I HAVE a belt and will probably start using it when I'm back at things (I'm going to take a some much regretted time off from the squats and deads and then start back slow). Its NOT a horrible strain and I put my belt on yesterday when I had to move some air conditioners (NROL ST 13? workout Z?). It didn't feel GOOD, but I don't think I made it a lot worse.
Any other thoughts on the use of weight belts and rehabbing mild lower back strains?
peace,
matt

[Lisa~]

Here is Eric Cressey's excellent article, Debunking Exercise Myths, Part I, which covers the use of weight belts.

Bottom line: Don't wear a belt for loads under 90% of 1RM. Increase your own "belt" of core strength instead and work on better lifting technique.

First recovery from the lower back strain with rest and ice. When you do go back to lifting, begin with mobility work and technique assessment. Fix what's wrong with your deadlift instead of relying on the crutch of a belt with poor technique.