ajz3d
There are probably better ways to deal with this, but personally I would set orientations with VEX.
Take a look at the example file.
Ah I can't open it since I'm using Indie version. But I'm guessing what you mean is that, instead of using OrientJoints node to setup axis towards child, you would be using RigAttributeWrangle node to setup a straight-up axis for rotation control, and ignore pointing-to-child thing?