plot shifted profiles

I would like plot a set of profiles on the same graph to compare them but I want to shift them slightly so that the features of each are easily identified. Basically I have plotted them using the line:

plot(profile1,y,profile2+1,y,profile3+2,y)

The problem with doing this is that the xaxis tic marks are no longer accurate. Does anyone know of a good way to provide a reference axis for the various profiles?