JP setup isn't all that difficult - it is just a matter of preparation and consideration.  Chains are a bit more involved than simple 'end-to-end' body parts as the connection is different (not end-to-end but interlocked - here you have an 'imaginary' constraint or collision with the other links that should be maintained).  Since you are not concerned with 'deformations', you can ignore Sphere Mat Zones altogether.  With this, you want each chain link to 'bend' without deformations.  There is a tutorial for a 'chest' that explains this type of rigid bending of body parts.  If you need it, I could dig it up and provide a download link.

There are EasyPose chains which may prove more versatile.  Maybe you should look into that - as complex as it is, the results are excellent and more realistic.

The cool thing about setting up a chain of links as a figure of body parts is that if you add IK (which is a, well, chain of links), you can select one end and whip it around to wrap an object - just like a multi-segmented tail.  This way, you put the root end behind the neck and then IK the other end to meet it and you have a necklace. :)

C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot. C++ makes it harder, but when you do, you blow your whole leg off.

 -- Bjarne Stroustrup

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