This article explores the existence of two fundamental components of optical torque: the gradient torque and the curl torque. These components arise from the reactive helicity gradient and the momentum curl of light, respectively, and represent rotational analogs to the gradient and curl forces. The study introduces the concept of lateral optical torque (LOT), which acts transversely to the spin of illumination. The orbital angular momentum of vortex beams is shown to couple to the curl torque, offering a path to extreme torque enhancement or achieving negative optical torques. The findings highlight the intersection of structured light, Mie-tronics, and rotational optomechanics, and inspire new manipulation methods in acoustics and hydrodynamics. The paper discusses the mechanical effects of light on small particles, including the gradient and curl forces, which can be enhanced using structured light. It presents a model for optical torque, revealing two new components: the spin torque and the gradient and curl torques. The gradient torque arises from the gradient of reactive helicity, while the curl torque comes from the curl of electromagnetic momentum. These torques are spin-independent and can be generated by higher-order multipoles. The study demonstrates that the curl torque can be enhanced by increasing the topological charge of vortex beams, and can even oppose or overcome the spin-induced torque, resulting in a negative optical torque. The article also examines the lateral optical torque (LOT) on anisotropic particles, showing that the torque magnitude varies with particle orientation and roughness. The results are validated through simulations and experiments, demonstrating the potential of LOT in optical manipulation. The study further explores the optical spanner, showing how the optical OAM can couple to the curl torque, enabling the rotation of objects placed off-axis. The findings suggest that the gradient and curl torques can overcome the spin-imposed constraint on particle rotation, offering new possibilities in optical manipulation and optomechanics. The results have implications for the development of ultrafast mechanical rotors and applications in torque sensing, gyroscope technologies, and fundamental physics tests. The study also highlights the importance of conservative and nonconservative torques in the manipulation of anisotropic particles.This article explores the existence of two fundamental components of optical torque: the gradient torque and the curl torque. These components arise from the reactive helicity gradient and the momentum curl of light, respectively, and represent rotational analogs to the gradient and curl forces. The study introduces the concept of lateral optical torque (LOT), which acts transversely to the spin of illumination. The orbital angular momentum of vortex beams is shown to couple to the curl torque, offering a path to extreme torque enhancement or achieving negative optical torques. The findings highlight the intersection of structured light, Mie-tronics, and rotational optomechanics, and inspire new manipulation methods in acoustics and hydrodynamics. The paper discusses the mechanical effects of light on small particles, including the gradient and curl forces, which can be enhanced using structured light. It presents a model for optical torque, revealing two new components: the spin torque and the gradient and curl torques. The gradient torque arises from the gradient of reactive helicity, while the curl torque comes from the curl of electromagnetic momentum. These torques are spin-independent and can be generated by higher-order multipoles. The study demonstrates that the curl torque can be enhanced by increasing the topological charge of vortex beams, and can even oppose or overcome the spin-induced torque, resulting in a negative optical torque. The article also examines the lateral optical torque (LOT) on anisotropic particles, showing that the torque magnitude varies with particle orientation and roughness. The results are validated through simulations and experiments, demonstrating the potential of LOT in optical manipulation. The study further explores the optical spanner, showing how the optical OAM can couple to the curl torque, enabling the rotation of objects placed off-axis. The findings suggest that the gradient and curl torques can overcome the spin-imposed constraint on particle rotation, offering new possibilities in optical manipulation and optomechanics. The results have implications for the development of ultrafast mechanical rotors and applications in torque sensing, gyroscope technologies, and fundamental physics tests. The study also highlights the importance of conservative and nonconservative torques in the manipulation of anisotropic particles.