Take the mattress off of your bed. Leave the box spring in place.
Lay a large piece of thick cardboard on top of the box spring. An empty refrigerator or other appliance box will be large enough to cover the box spring. Flatten the box before placing it on the box spring. Cut off any excess cardboard with the craft knife.
Position the cardboard so that it is on one side of the mattress if you share the bed and only one of you is struggling with back pain.
Reposition the mattress back on the bed. Test out the firmness of the bed by assuming your usual sleeping position. Have your partner test the bed, too. If it is still too soft, try adding another layer of cardboard.