Is there a better way of manipulating SOAP messages than Jaxws SOAP Handler Interceptor before the message gets to the container?

Question

I am currently using the jaxws and apache CXF framework to create webservices using the top down approach.

I am using the SOAP interceptors to add remove SOAP header elements, using SAAJ, before the message gets to the container, and the container maps the SOAP action too the java method. I am doing this to create Security Token Services (STS) to facilitate a lite implementation of the SAML2 Profile - converting authentication details into portable identities (SAML Authentication Assertions).

I cannot help think there must be an easier way to do this. Is there a framework that will allow me to manipulate the message with more ease? and if so a tutorial would help.

Many thanks