Quote Originally Posted by Sciuropterus
In the long run, back support belts make you weaker, eventually you need one all the time.

http://www.personalmd.com/news/a1997070403.shtml

If you have a sore lower back, consider weight training, especially deadlifts with proper form. You will be amazed how quickly you feel better. I did, anyway!

Quoted from NIOSH (Nat'l Institute for Occupational Safety & Health):
"(NIOSH...), does not recommend the use of back belts to prevent injuries among workers who have never been injured.* If you or your workers are wearing back belts as protective equipment against back injury, you should be aware of the lack of scientific evidence supporting their use."
You said it better and backed it up with more facts than I would have.
I had a lower back injury that had me walking funny for a few months. The back support belt helped heal the injury but it has sat in a drawer since.

BTW, I think this adds a little weight to my theory that underwear for men and bras for women are not a good thing. Unnecessary support is unnatural and weakens the body, while professing to strengthen it.