Tobinick trained in internal medicine and dermatology. Prior to his work with etanercept, Tobinick practiced dermatology and developed a laser hair removal technique. Tobinick offered etanercept therapy for back problems (in a treatment known as DiskCure) before promoting its use for other neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, stroke and Parkinson's disease. An article in Science Based Medicine was written critical of his use of perispinal etanercept injections for these conditions. Author Steven Novella was subsequently sued by Tobinick in 2015 for that article. On September 30, 2015 the court found no merit in Tobinick's claim that Novella and SBM were profiting from criticism of perispinal etanercept and found in Novella's favor.