​An "adjustment," the common term chiropractors use, relates to the specific manipulation of articular joints (such as the spine, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, etc.) that may be displaced, restricted (stiff) and/or simply not moving within its normal pattern of movement and therefore not functioning in its optimal state. The adjustment is usually given by hand or by "mechanical" type instruments, and consists of applying pressure to the areas of the spine and/or other joint articulations that have a disrupted function in their normal range of movement.